Lesson 431 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Parentheses

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Parentheses are used much like the dash, but it is used to set off unimportant material that interrupts the sentence thought or structure.

Use parentheses to set off supplementary, parenthetic, or explanatory material that does not change the meaning of the main sentence. 

 

Example: 

Joe Jones (you knew him) visited me yesterday.

Instructions: Use parentheses where needed in these sentences.

1. We fished or should I say drowned worms in the murky river.

2. They listened to the teacher's stories they were very dull which gave some background for the book.

3. Terri and Mark you remember them moved to a new house last week.

4. Even though he was not qualified according to his transcripts, he knew more than most of the others.

5. Another possibility the possibilities seem endless was suggested by a person at the back of the room.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We fished (or should I say drowned worms) in the murky river.

2. They listened to the teacher's stories (they were very dull) which gave some background for the book.

3. Terri and Mark (you remember them) moved to a new house last week.

4. Even though he was not qualified (according to his transcripts), he knew more than most of the others.

5. Another possibility (the possibilities seem endless) was suggested by a person at the back of the room.

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