Parenthetical
adjective
In brackets or involved as an interruption or extra information.
He added a parenthetical note about the event in his book.
Often appears as...
- parenthetical note
- parenthetical reference
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The statement that is made in brackets as an extra information or interruption.
The parenthetical in his speech was unnecessary and disrupted the flow.
Often appears as...
- unnecessary parenthetical
- random parenthetical
adjective
In brackets or involved as an interruption or extra information.
He added a parenthetical note about the event in his book.
Often appears as...
- parenthetical note
- parenthetical reference
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The statement that is made in brackets as an extra information or interruption.
The parenthetical in his speech was unnecessary and disrupted the flow.
Often appears as...
- unnecessary parenthetical
- random parenthetical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Clarifying Interruption
A parenthetical often provides clarification or extra details without changing the main message.
His achievements (which were many) were not what defined him.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Emphasis
Use a parenthetical to subtly emphasize a point or opinion within a sentence.
She was, in my opinion (and I'm not alone), the best candidate.
Pro Tip 3/3Audience Connection
Parentheticals can make your writing feel conversational, as if speaking directly to the reader.
The venue (you've been there, right?) was packed.
Pro Tip 1/3Clarifying Interruption
A parenthetical often provides clarification or extra details without changing the main message.
His achievements (which were many) were not what defined him.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Emphasis
Use a parenthetical to subtly emphasize a point or opinion within a sentence.
She was, in my opinion (and I'm not alone), the best candidate.
Pro Tip 3/3Audience Connection
Parentheticals can make your writing feel conversational, as if speaking directly to the reader.
The venue (you've been there, right?) was packed.
Pro Tip 1/3Clarifying Interruption
A parenthetical often provides clarification or extra details without changing the main message.
His achievements (which were many) were not what defined him.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Emphasis
Use a parenthetical to subtly emphasize a point or opinion within a sentence.
She was, in my opinion (and I'm not alone), the best candidate.
Pro Tip 3/3Audience Connection
Parentheticals can make your writing feel conversational, as if speaking directly to the reader.
The venue (you've been there, right?) was packed.
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Video examples
A 30-year history of the...
it was like having a gorilla in the front seat. If you were stopped for speeding and the officer looked in the window and saw who was in the passenger seat, then, "Oh, continue on, sir." And so we were able, and this is a cute, actually, device, parenthetically.
Video examples
A 30-year history of the...
it was like having a gorilla in the front seat. If you were stopped for speeding and the officer looked in the window and saw who was in the passenger seat, then, "Oh, continue on, sir." And so we were able, and this is a cute, actually, device, parenthetically.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Jon Favreau
American Actor
For something to be profitable doesn't necessarily mean it's the best thing in the world for the director. You judge a movie by different standards - I've worked on comedies, and now I've worked on superhero movies, and the reviews are almost parenthetical in both of those genres.
Quote examples
Neil Gaiman
British Author
I don't know if any single book made me want to write. C.S. Lewis was the first writer to make me aware that somebody was writing the book I was reading - these wonderful parenthetical asides to the reader.
Quote examples
Laurie Simmons
American Artist
Parenthetically, I have to say, I don't particularly like dolls, nor have I ever liked them.
Quote examples
Jon Favreau
American Actor
For something to be profitable doesn't necessarily mean it's the best thing in the world for the director. You judge a movie by different standards - I've worked on comedies, and now I've worked on superhero movies, and the reviews are almost parenthetical in both of those genres.
Quote examples
Neil Gaiman
British Author
I don't know if any single book made me want to write. C.S. Lewis was the first writer to make me aware that somebody was writing the book I was reading - these wonderful parenthetical asides to the reader.
Quote examples
Laurie Simmons
American Artist
Parenthetically, I have to say, I don't particularly like dolls, nor have I ever liked them.
Example 1 of 3
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