Parenthesis Punctuation

Which punctuations are parentheses?

• " "

• ( )

• [ ]

• ...

What is the singular form for "parentheses"?

• parenthesis

• parentheseses

• parentheses's

• parenthes

How do you read the first and second parentheses?

• "open parenthesis" & "close parenthesis"

• "open parentheses" & "close parentheses"

When do you use parentheses?

• to show that a new sentence is about to begin

• to give specific details or information that might interrupt the flow of the sentence

• to show the exact words of what somebody said

• to signal that a list of items is about to begin

Given the sentence below, which choice best uses parentheses appropriately?

Christmas Day December 25 is my favorite day of the year.

• (Christmas Day) December 25 is my favorite day of the year.

• Christmas Day (December 25 is my favorite day of the year).

• Christmas Day December 25 is my (favorite day of the year).

• Christmas Day (December 25) is my favorite day of the year.

Which choice below does not use parentheses correctly?

• The largest planet in our solar system (Jupiter) is still a mystery.

• My uncle reads the Pacific Daily News (PDN) every morning.

• I (shopped) at Kmart and bought shampoo.

• The two military bases on Guam (Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam) occupies almost one-third of the island.

Given the sentence, which choice uses parentheses most appropriately:

The Greek god of the sky and thunder Zeus is known as the king of gods.

• (The Greek god of the sky and thunder) Zeus is known as the king of gods.

• The Greek god (of the sky and thunder) Zeus is known as the king of gods.

• The Greek god of (the) sky and thunder Zeus is known as the king of gods.

• The Greek god of the sky and thunder (Zeus) is known as the king of gods.

Given the sentence, which choice uses parentheses most appropriately:

My doctor's appointment for a checkup is at noon 12:00pm.

• My doctor's appointment (for a checkup) is at noon 12:00pm.

• (My doctor's appointment) for a checkup is at noon 12:00pm.

• My doctor's appointment for a checkup is at (noon) 12:00pm.

• My doctor's appointment for a checkup is at noon (12:00pm).

Given the sentence below, which choice best uses parentheses:

The capital of China Beijing is attempting to reduce its air pollution.

• The (capital) of China Beijing is attempting to reduce its air pollution.

• The capital (of China) Beijing is attempting to reduce its air pollution.

• The capital of China (Beijing) is attempting to reduce its air pollution.

• The capital of China Beijing (is attempting to) reduce its air pollution.

Given the sentence, which choice below uses parentheses correctly:

The summer months June and July are the hottest time of the year.

• The summer months (June and July) are the hottest time of the year.

• The (summer months) June and July are the hottest time of the year.

• The summer months June and July (are the hottest time of the year).

• The summer months June and July are the (hottest time) of the year.