Question

which sentences use parentheses correctly? select the two that apply.

every sunday during football season, orlando and casey (friends from work) throw a viewing party, and everyone brings a side dish or dessert. (i always bring brownies.) everyone always has a great time (no matter which teams are playing or who wins.)

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Parentheses Punctuation Rules
Extra information inside or outside sentences

Step 1: Understand the rules of parentheses

Parentheses are used to enclose nonessential information. The punctuation rules depend on where the parenthetical information is placed:

1. Inside a sentence: If the parenthetical information is inside a sentence, any punctuation (like a period, comma, or semicolon) belongs outside the closing parenthesis.
2. As a standalone sentence: If the parenthetical information is a complete sentence standing entirely on its own, the period goes inside the closing parenthesis.

Step 2: Analyze the first sentence

Let's look at the first sentence and its parenthetical elements:

"Every Sunday during football season, Orlando and Casey (friends from work) throw a viewing party, and everyone brings a side dish or dessert."

• "(friends from work)": This is inserted directly into the middle of the sentence. It does not have any punctuation inside it, and the sentence continues naturally after it. This is correct.

Step 3: Analyze the second sentence

Let's look at the second sentence:

"(I always bring brownies.)"

• This is a complete, standalone sentence enclosed in parentheses. Because it stands alone, the capital letter starts inside, and the period is placed inside the closing parenthesis. This is correct.

Step 4: Analyze the third sentence

Let's look at the third sentence:

"Everyone always has a great time (no matter which teams are playing or who wins.)"

• "(no matter which teams are playing or who wins.)": This parenthetical element is added to the end of an existing sentence. Because it is part of the larger sentence, the period ending the main sentence must go outside the closing parenthesis. Placing the period inside the parenthesis here is incorrect. It should be: ...who wins).

Answer:

The two sentences that use parentheses correctly are:

1. Every Sunday during football season, Orlando and Casey (friends from work) throw a viewing party, and everyone brings a side dish or dessert.
2. (I always bring brownies.)