Parénthesis

Parénthesis, commonly known in English as parenthesis, refers to either the punctuation marks used to enclose inserted material or to the inserted material itself. In plural form, parentheses enclose nonessential or clarifying information within a sentence, while a single parenthesis is the singular mark. The term parénthesis comes from the Greek word parénthesis (παρένθεσις), meaning “placing beside,” from para- “beside” and thesis “placing.”

Etymology and usage have the same root. In modern typography, the marks are the round brackets: open parenthesis ( and close parenthesis ). The content between them is called a parenthetical, a parenthetical remark, or a parenthetical phrase. Parentheses can also enclose abbreviations, clarifications, or numerical references; they may be used to de-emphasize but not obscure essential content. In formal writing, parentheses are typically used sparingly, with dashes or commas often preferred for incidental interruptions.

In rhetoric, a parénthesis (the rhetorical device) is an aside or qualifier inserted into a sentence or clause, interrupting the main thought. This can add nuance, irony, or emphasis, but overuse can disrupt readability. Examples include brief explanatory notes within a sentence or an aside that comments on the preceding clause.

Typography sometimes employs square brackets or other marks as editorial insertions, especially in quoted text, to distinguish the author’s words from editorial additions. The term parénthesis remains closely tied to the English “parenthesis” and the concept of placing material beside the main text. See also parenthesis, parenthetical, and punctuation.