parenthetic
/,pærən'θetik/ Cách viết khác : (parenthetical) /,pærən'θetikəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Qualifying or explaining; placed or as if placed in parentheses: Used to describe a word, phrase, or remark that is inserted into a sentence as an explanation, comment, or afterthought, and which could be enclosed in parentheses without changing the essential meaning of the sentence.
- Intermittent or digressive: Describing something that interrupts the main flow of thought or narrative.
Usage
- The word parenthetic is used to describe information that is additional or secondary to the main point. It often modifies nouns like "remark," "statement," "comment," or "clause."
- It is synonymous with parenthetical. Both forms are correct, though "parenthetical" is more common in modern usage.
Examples
- Adjective:
- His long, parenthetic explanation about the weather confused the main point of his story.
- She made a parenthetic comment about the cost before continuing with her proposal.
- The author's parenthetic asides provide interesting historical context.
Advanced Usage
- "to be parenthetic": to function as an interjected explanation.
- That entire paragraph is parenthetic and could be removed without harming the thesis.
- Used in formal writing and literary criticism to analyze the structure of a text.
- The novelist's use of parenthetic observations creates a sense of intimacy with the reader.
Variants and Related Words
- Parenthetical (adj): The more frequently used variant, identical in meaning to "parenthetic."
- She added a parenthetical note to clarify the term.
- Parenthesis (n): The punctuation marks ( ) or the interrupting word or phrase itself.
- The phrase "as you know" was in parentheses.
- Parenthetically (adv): In a parenthetic manner.
- He mentioned, parenthetically, that he had met the author once.
Synonyms
- Incidental: Occurring as a minor accompaniment.
- Explanatory: Serving to explain.
- Digressive: Departing from the main subject.
- Interpolated: Inserted into a text or conversation.
Antonyms
- Central: Of primary importance.
- Main: Most important.
- Integral: Necessary to make a whole complete.
Related Phrases
- In parenthesis: As an aside or digression.
- He stated, in parenthesis, that the figures were approximate.
- By way of parenthesis: Serving as a digressive explanation.
- She added, by way of parenthesis, a brief history of the conflict.
Adjective
- qualifying or explaining; placed or as if placed in parentheses
- parenthetical remarks