Brackets

September 11th, 2025 in Grammar by April Michelle Davis 0

There are several instances when brackets are necessary. Use brackets, not parentheses, to clarify or add to an original quote. Use brackets as parentheses within parentheses. This is typically used in bibliographic references. Use brackets to show the pronunciation of a word. Use brackets surrounding sic and italicize it. (Sic is used to indicate that what is written was left intentionally in the original form, even if it is incorrect.)

Quote Example: He said, “I found their [customer] service unhelpful.”

Reference Example: (For more information on this topic, see The Elements of Style [1999]).

Pronunciation Example: The student mispronounced mischievous [mis-chuh-vuhs].

Sic Example: She told me, “The kids cleaned there [sic] rooms.”

Try It!
Correctly place brackets in the below sentences.

  1. James said, “That hotline was very convenient.” *James called the power company.
  2. My daughter mispronounced cavalry kav-ul-ry.
  3. (To learn more, see The Chicago Manual of Style 2010.)
  4. Mom wrote, “Don’t forget were sic out of milk.”

 

Answers:

  1. James said, “That [power company] hotline was very convenient.”
  2. My daughter mispronounced cavalry [kav-ul-ry].
  3. (To learn more, see The Chicago Manual of Style [2010].)
  4. Mom wrote, “Don’t forget were [sic] out of milk.”