Parenthesis (noun)
Definition: A parenthesis is a part of a sentence that adds extra information or a side note, which is not essential to the main point. It is often enclosed in punctuation marks like parentheses (round brackets), dashes, or commas.
Usage Instructions: - Use parentheses to include additional information that helps explain or clarify something, but is not necessary for understanding the main idea. - Parentheses are often used in writing to add comments, examples, or references without interrupting the main flow of the text.
Example: - The book (which I read last summer) was very interesting. - Here, "which I read last summer" is additional information about the book, but the main point is that the book was interesting.
Advanced Usage: - In more formal writing, you might also see parentheses used to cite sources or include mathematical expressions. - Example: The results (see Table 2) indicate a significant improvement in performance.
Word Variants: - The plural form is parentheses (used when talking about more than one pair). - The adjective form is parenthetical, which describes something related to or contained within parentheses.
Different Meaning: - In a broader sense, "parenthesis" can refer to a break or interruption in a sequence. For example, you might say, "The meeting had a parenthesis when the fire alarm went off."
Synonyms: - Aside - Interjection - Supplement
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - "In parentheses" is an idiom that means to set something aside or to mention it as an additional note, often implying that it is not the main focus. - There are no commonly used phrasal verbs directly related to "parenthesis," but you might encounter phrases like "set aside" or "put aside" to convey a similar meaning.