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.
BRACKETS.
Rule I. Quoted Passage.—When words are inserted by another into a quoted passage, either to correct a mistake or explain the meaning, they should be inclosed in brackets.
EXAMPLES.
“A variety of pleasing objects meet [meets] the eye.”
“‘My dear lady,’ returned the schoolmaster [Mr. Graham], ‘when I have on good grounds made up my mind to a thing, I always feel as if I had promised God to do it; and indeed it amounts to the same thing very nearly. Such a resolve, then, is not to be unmade, except on equally good grounds with those upon which it was made.’”—George Macdonald.