19 Jun 2009
Ok, this is a short answer. A full stop appears inside the brackets, if the bracket contains a complete sentence.
She wore the red dress that evening. (Her sister wore the gold one.)
John needed the answer for question 7. (Jeff was struggling with question 1.)
The full stop appears outside of the brackets if the brackets don’t contain a complete sentence.
She wore the red dress that evening (and her sister wore the gold one).
John needed the answer for question 7 (however Jeff was struggling with question 1).
Simple, no?
Updated
This is better:
John needed the answer for question 7 (but Jeff was struggling with question 1).
Matt Hill
Posted at 14:13h, 27 JulyI’ve always wondered about that! Thanks for clarifying 🙂
Sarah Turner
Posted at 14:31h, 27 JulyHey Matt
Glad to help!
Sarah
jen
Posted at 01:41h, 31 Julyargh! thanks so much. i’ve been writing essays recently and been thinking about that.
pema
Posted at 11:45h, 22 Septemberdoes that apply to all punctuation?
Morag
Posted at 15:18h, 16 NovemberBecause if it’s not a full sentence, the full stop is actually punctuating the whole sentence, not just the bit in brackets.
I must admit, I do get confused on where the full stop or comma appears in relation to quote marks. Any advice, please?
mudwig
Posted at 20:41h, 26 Decemberbut what if there’s a question mark to end half a sentence appearing in brackets? would it be supposed to go inside the brackets (if you know what i mean?)
a full stop would go outside but a question mark goes inside?
Sarah Turner
Posted at 11:59h, 30 DecemberHey mudwig
Yep, that’s right.
It’s really hot today (don’t you think?).
Mudwig
Posted at 13:22h, 06 Januarya question mark and full stop together at last! amazing. they say you learn something new every day but i think this can be my new learnt thing for at least a week.
tyvm
Michael Davies
Posted at 16:44h, 26 JanuaryIf only the sentence within the bracket contains a question that you put it inside the brackets, but if both sentences or just the sentence OUTSIDE is a question you put the question mark after the brackets
Horus
Posted at 09:50h, 12 MayYes, that’s clear, thank you. But what about a list within brackets, ending with an abbreviation, e.g. ltd. or etc.
As in:
A relationship between wine consumption and lower rates of heart disease can be seen in many Mediterranean countries (Italy, France, Spain, Greece, etc.).
or
The company has changed its official name a number of times (originally it was registered as Acme Ltd.).
I can’t find any reason to leave out either of the full stops, but the sight of ‘dot-bracket-dot’ makes me uncomfortable. Any insight?
Thanks
H
Sarah Turner
Posted at 10:33h, 12 MayThat’s perfectly acceptable. The way round it of course is to write A relationship between wine consumption and lower rates of heart disease can be seen in many Mediterranean countries (e.g. Italy, France, Spain, Greece).
Or The company has changed its official name a number of times (originally it was registered as Acme Limited). The company has changed its official name a number of times; originally it was registered as Acme Ltd.
Eyeofhorus
Posted at 21:43h, 12 MayWow, thank you for the reply!
You’re right – there are ways around it, but it’s also good to hear that “.).” is ok. (Ha, that looks like an emoticon!)
Of your suggestions, the semicolon is definitely the most elegant.
H
Gary
Posted at 11:18h, 01 Junerefreshing to get a straight answer to a straight question. need more of this online!
Ally
Posted at 01:43h, 22 AugustAhh, thanks for this (I always wondered, finally thought to clarify!). :p
Nicola A Hare
Posted at 10:54h, 05 OctoberWhat a helpful and clear explanation to somehting that always causes me so much grief!
Thank you so much,
Nicola
Sarah Turner
Posted at 11:04h, 05 OctoberThanks Nicola. Glad to help.
Christophe Dillinger
Posted at 20:22h, 30 NovemberYo
I am not sure at all the first few sentences are accurate. I mena, isn’t a bracket used to separate two sections within a phrase? What would be the point of a bracket system containing a whole phrase in this condition? I have never seen an example of this type of contruction (Iwould be glad if you could provide me with a link).
Sarah Turner
Posted at 08:48h, 01 DecemberHi Christophe
The examples are correct. If you want to find out more check out the Penguin Guide to Punctuation. http://amzn.to/t5XLUa
sarah-jane landsman
Posted at 07:44h, 25 DecemberWhat about commas, are they always outside the bracket?
wso reviews
Posted at 22:08h, 20 Decemberwso reviews…
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Stuart Edwards - Am I Nearly There Yet
Posted at 15:43h, 20 FebruaryThanks for this!
Solved a long running tiff between the missus and I!
Following you on Twitter now! 🙂
Thanks
Stu
Sarah Turner
Posted at 15:56h, 20 FebruaryGlad to be of service. Good to see people discussing punctuation even whilst backpacking. Very British.
Stuart Edwards - Am I Nearly There Yet
Posted at 08:39h, 21 FebruaryOne has to keep up standards. Can’t let these things slide!
Klara
Posted at 11:25h, 06 MayThanks!!! that helped a lot!!! (It was my English homework.)
Adriana
Posted at 15:33h, 30 JulyWhatever I wanted to ask about brackets and punctuation, you’ve answered it. Plainly and simply. Thank you!
David Robinson
Posted at 10:03h, 27 AugustClear, thanks. (Surely though, you need a comma after the ‘however’ in: “however Jeff was struggling with question 1”, do you not ?
Sarah Turner
Posted at 10:28h, 27 AugustYes! ‘However’ used in a sentence without the brackets would be
John needed the answer for question 7; however, Jeff was struggling with question 1.
However, (!) I think the word however is wrong here. I’m going to suggest but or although are better.
Ben Stuart
Posted at 11:27h, 04 SeptemberI’m always getting confused by this, thanks for clearing it up. The strange thing is I’m sure we were never once taught this at school during English lessons.
Heather
Posted at 02:46h, 09 NovemberThis amazing post, “Full stops. Inside or outside of brackets?
| Turner Ink Copywriting London UK” reveals that u comprehend just what exactly you are
writing about! I thoroughly agree with your post. Thanks ,Temeka
Popples
Posted at 09:16h, 26 DecemberBRILL!
Dennis Bell
Posted at 19:53h, 05 January“Solved a long running tiff between the missus and I!”
Surely ‘the missus and me’ rather than I.
Sunny
Posted at 14:30h, 28 JanuaryGreat, thanks! I’ve seen it written both ways and never knew the reasoning behind either, till now. ^_^
Ilika
Posted at 18:54h, 18 FebruaryIt really surprised me when I realized that I didn’t know the answer to this question. Thanks 🙂
KALpZ
Posted at 16:55h, 28 AprilHow to write a business address and mobile on a business card? Like my company name is Mayrose global (UK) ltd. Also mobile number format as I travel around the world a lot. Shud it be printed as +44 7889 11 33 55 or + 44(0) 7889 11 33 55
Sarah Turner
Posted at 11:09h, 08 JulyHi there
The zero is part of your whole mobile number. So if I wanted to call you I’d dial 07889 113 355. On your card it should be +44 (O)7889 113 355 with the zero next to the number. In the UK we tend to have five numbers followed by two sets of three. But as your number is a nice easy one to remember it’s ok to have three sets of two. +44 (0)7889 11 33 55.
Helen
Posted at 11:50h, 30 AprilI agree with the above, but why then, is your number diplayed as 020 8696 9525? 3 numbers, then 4, then 4? Surely the format 02086 969 525 is more memorable that way too?
Sarah Turner
Posted at 10:20h, 19 MayThe code for London is 020. So we say the code first followed by eight digits beginning with an 8 or 7 or a 3. These are normally said in two banks of four. But if the numbers lend themselves to be said in another way that’s ok too. E.g. 020 8 44 33 22 6. Although I would still write it as 020 8443 3226 on a website, letterhead or business card.
Emmanuel Ashimi
Posted at 17:26h, 06 MayThank you a lot. It now becomes clearer to me. Best wishes
Matthew Gaseltine
Posted at 14:44h, 11 MayThis is really helpful but does it apply with all other punctuation as well?
It’s all about loving yourself | Swat of All Trades
Posted at 11:05h, 01 July[…] If you have noticed that I used too many brackets in this blog post, it’s because I learnt this today. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:Like […]
Gireesh Balan
Posted at 07:15h, 24 MayThis doubt always robbed my sleep…thanks a ton for clarification….
bob
Posted at 20:02h, 19 OctoberThanks!
Luke Newbery
Posted at 01:37h, 05 JanuaryHope I haven’t missed this, but what about where ellipses are used within the bracket? From what you’ve said it seems like it still wants a full stop after.
So it would go something like this (or that’s what I think anyway…).
Right?
Amira
Posted at 18:17h, 28 JanuaryOh!! thanks so much for answering this question simply because I’ve been wondering about it since.
Krishna Mohan
Posted at 19:10h, 16 JuneThanks , this was really useful 🙂
kiara
Posted at 05:38h, 13 Mayok cheers.
Mishal Benny
Posted at 10:06h, 19 MayThanks for the help!
I have been writing a book review as our school project.
(I have been wondering about this topic for a few days now.)
AshokAshok
Posted at 10:13h, 19 Maythanks for this – very helpful.
John Harrison
Posted at 14:22h, 16 DecemberWonderful. I’ve written 6 books without understanding the pattern in the copywriter’s corrections (maybe because they didn’t all know). Wonderful when it’s so logical. Thank you
Miss Lost
Posted at 11:00h, 04 Maythroughout the exchange (M2a, M3, M5 etc.) In these sections
do i need a full stop after the bracket?
Sarah Turner
Posted at 13:06h, 09 MayYes if it’s the end of the sentence. So…throughout the exchange (M2a, M3, M5 etc.).
Yushay
Posted at 01:16h, 19 JuneThanks, Sarah! This really helped. 🙂
Matthew
Posted at 08:03h, 11 Octoberin this agreement the Landlord is referred to as “Landlord.” or “Landlord”.
Which is correct please.
Sarah Turner
Posted at 12:53h, 11 OctoberGood question Matthew. Outside the speech marks.
Wale
Posted at 09:24h, 01 Decemberwonderful
Barney Dormer
Posted at 13:03h, 01 NovemberHow about after an ellipsis, such as:
They were heading out into uncharted territory (and had no idea what the future had in store…)
Do I need a full stop outside the brackets here?
Many thanks (in advance).
Pippa O'Brien
Posted at 08:54h, 02 AprilThank you so much for the help! I was writing an essay started wondering about it.
🙂
dick dom
Posted at 20:13h, 07 Aprilvery (gud).
Rose Wilson
Posted at 03:41h, 25 AprilCD you help with this example.
The moon was pale yellow that night. (John Smith). Inside or outside brackets
Sarah Turner
Posted at 10:44h, 19 June(John Smith.)
Julia Farino
Posted at 19:07h, 01 MayWhat if the part in the brackets is an exclamation and then the sentence ends? Eg I have to work two extra days (no rest for the wicked!). Do you need the full stop as well outside the brackets to finish the overall sentence?
Amelie Malanina
Posted at 08:44h, 11 NovemberThank you so much I have always wondered about this, it helps a lot 🙂
Keep up the good work!!