Yeah it's easier to just separate it by commas or leave it out entirely

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I use parenthesis all the time (not literally of course, but I do use them quite often). Sometimes, such as in the previous sentence, they are necessary. "I use parenthesis all the time, not literally of course, but I do use them quite often" is a comma splice. Commas aren't always appropriate.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

When you use a comma, in an unnecessary spot. ^Like that.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I feel this one is a bit contradictory. You say the parenthetical info could be quite relevant, yet say that including parentheses shouldn't happen. I, personally, enjoy them. If they're used well, they can deliver concise, important info. They can also create a certain ambience when used in fiction, for example. I read parenthetical statements differently. It's not the same as making new sentences or using commas/other punctuation. To me, they're a fun, indispensable part of writing. Just like with any other grammar/punctuation they can be overused or misused. I don't feel that necessitates their complete removal from our language.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

When did they say that?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

@Run_The_Pacific: I would probably just leave that part out. It's just a personal preference.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

@colebowl their statement boils down to "don't use parentheses". No exceptions seemed to be made. OP specifically says not to use them even for relevant info.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

@Run_The_Pacific: That's not actually what a comma splice is. I comma splice is where you use a common without a contraction to merge two independent clauses. E.g. Parentheses are rarely necessary, they are sometimes relevant. Also, I would say that in your first comment, the parenthetical note was definitely not necessary. I saw this post as a humorous way to describe the use of parentheses, and I don't know why this is getting downvoted.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

^ I was taught that it applies in both situations.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I think what you were taught was either a false oversimplification or just plain wrong. If you remove the comma in a comma splice, it becomes a run-on sentence, so that definitely isn't ever a fix.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Their statement didn't boil down to don't use parentheses

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Yes, it did.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

How don't you get that? What do you think it means? parentheses are unnecessary even if relevant... What other meaning could it mean.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Um, how?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

You need to re read the comments no one said "parentheses are unnecessary even if relevant"

by Anonymous 11 years ago

The OP did....

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Then why were you replying to comments if yours wasn't a response to the comments but referring to the actual post?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

It was a response to comments. Those comments involved the post. That's why.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

That's what the comment reply button is for. Use it.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I did use it......

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I was under the impression that parentathes were ment to contain additional, non-critical, but useful information. Using that definition, the post does make sense, and I think it is rather clever, although, OP and I could both be wrong... It does seem that we are a minority.

by Anonymous 11 years ago