MARKS OF PARENTHESIS.
Rule I. Parenthesis.—When an expression breaks the connection between the different parts of a sentence, and might be omitted without affecting the sense or the construction, it should be inclosed in parenthetical marks.
EXAMPLES.
“Of all sound of all bells (bells, the music nighest bordering heaven) most solemn and touching is the peal which rings out the Old Year.”—Lamb.
“The tuneful Nine (so sacred legends tell)
First waked their heavenly lyre these scenes to tell!”—Campbell.
“Their intellectual wardrobe (to confess fairly) has few whole pieces in it.”—Lamb.
REMARKS.
1. When parenthetical marks are used, it is sometimes necessary to use additional marks.
a. When the sentence, without the parenthesis, requires a punctuation mark where the parenthetical marks are used, the punctuation mark should be placed after the last mark of the parenthesis; as,—
“Know then this truth (enough for man to know),
‘Virtue alone is happiness below.’”—Pope.
b. Sometimes the parenthesis requires a punctuation mark before the last mark of the parenthesis; as, “Spill not the morning (the quintessence of the day!) in recreations.”—Thomas Fuller.
c. When a punctuation mark immediately precedes the last mark of the parenthesis, and a punctuation mark is also needed where the parenthetical marks are used, it should be placed before the first mark of the parenthesis; as, “F. was the most gentlemanly of oilmen. He had two Latin words almost constantly in his mouth, (how odd sounds Latin from an oilman’s lips!) which my better knowledge since has enabled me to correct.”—Lamb.
2. An interrogation point inclosed in parenthetical marks (?) implies that an assertion is doubtful.
3. An exclamation point inclosed within parenthetical marks (!) expresses irony or contempt.
4. Parenthetical marks are not as frequently used as formerly, the comma and dash being often preferred.