What are these "[ ]" called? How are they used? Also, when do we know when to use a semi colon ";"? Is it like a contrast, cause & effect. I read it can be used before howerver (i.e. He is Canadian; however he lives in USA) Why wouldn't you use a comma? Is there a difference? Thanks. -- Also are parenthesis the same things as brackets? x
2006-11-13 05:48:04 · 4 answers · asked by Besch 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
[ ] are brackets. They are used inside parentheses and to add words into direct quotes.
Example: Cats prefer to stay dry. (With rare exceptions [such as Persians], cats do not enjoy being in pools of water.) According to Dr. Fish, "They [Persians] are used in films and plays that require cats to swim."
A semi-colon is used to link two separate ideas in one sentence; some prefer using the double dash (--) instead of a semi-colon.
A comma does not link two separate ideas without the use of a conjunction (and, but, & or).
2006-11-13 06:01:01 · answer #1 · answered by TomServo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The discussion above about brackets is good.
I would note that with the semicolon, you must have two complete sentences on each side of the semicolon. Thus:
The ball is red; it is my favorite. (AND)
Kyle went to the store; however, Bob went to the orchestra. (AND)
It may be impossible to fly; don't tell Superman.
BUT NOT
The ball is red; not my favorite.
Kyle went to the store; and bob went to the orchestra.
Although it may be impossible to fly; don't tell Superman.
Note that in the bottom examples, there is not a complete sentence, but rather dependent clauses in each of the examples. Example #2 is bad only because the conjunction "and" was added. No conjunctions are needed when you use a semicolon. ("However," used in the first set, is NOT a conjunction to tie to sentences together. It's a separate introductory word of contrast.)
2006-11-13 10:15:33 · answer #2 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
[] are square brackets and aren't really used in language.
parentheses () are the same as brackets it's just that brackets tends to be the mathematical word and parentheses for English teachers that like to sound posh ;)
2006-11-13 05:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by Jez 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
[] are called brackets. Left bracket, right bracket.
One way they can be used in when a change is made to an original quote. For example:
Original quote: "James agrees that cheese makes him wheeze"
Changed quote "[He] agrees that cheese makes him wheeze"
2006-11-13 05:56:56 · answer #4 · answered by lewa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋