What Are Brackets?
Brackets are square punctuation marks [ ] used to insert extra information into a sentence or to modify text for clarity or accuracy. They are most commonly used in quoted material to clarify meaning, correct errors, or add context. Brackets are particularly important in academic, journalistic, and legal writing, where maintaining the integrity of the original text while offering explanations is essential.
Examples:
- The report stated, “We need more data [on climate trends] to make informed decisions.”
- “She [the project manager] was responsible for overseeing the final delivery.”
Learn Next: How to Use Colons
The Five Ways to Use Brackets
There are five common ways to use brackets, each described in detail below:
- Insert Comments from Someone Other than the Person Speaking
- Modify Quoted Nouns & Pronouns to Fit the Sentence or to Clarify
- Insert [sic] to Show Original Error
- Identify Added Emphasis That Was Not in the Original Quote
- Insert Parenthetical Material Inside Parenthetical Material
1. Insert Comments from Someone Other than the Person Speaking
Brackets are often used to add editorial comments, explanations, or clarifications to a direct quotation. This is useful when the original speaker’s meaning or context might not be clear to the audience.
Examples:
- “The CEO announced, ‘Our team has finally met the Q3 targets [set earlier this year].'”
- “He claimed, ‘I left at 5:00 p.m. [the time of the alleged incident].'”
What NOT to Do: “He said, ‘I can’t wait for the weekend.’ [I think he meant Friday.]” (Avoid inserting subjective or speculative commentary that could misrepresent the original quote.)
2. Modify Quoted Nouns & Pronouns to Fit the Sentence or to Clarify
Brackets allow you to adjust pronouns or nouns in a quotation so they make sense in your sentence’s context. This is essential when quoting sources where the pronouns or references are ambiguous without modification.
Examples:
- Original: “He was very upset.” Modified: “The coach said [Johnathan Stalls] was very upset.”
- Original: “They agreed it was necessary.” Modified: “The researchers noted that [a larger sample size] was necessary.”
What NOT to Do: “The report stated that ‘[it] was a groundbreaking discovery.'” (Brackets should clarify meaning, not create confusion or ambiguity.)
3. Insert [sic] to Show Original Error
The term “[sic]” is used within brackets to indicate that an error in the quoted material exists in the original source. This shows readers that the mistake is not your own and maintains the integrity of the quotation.
Examples:
- “The study claimed, ‘Their [sic] findings were inconclusive.'”
- “She wrote, ‘This is a great oppurtunity [sic] for everyone involved.'”
What NOT to Do: “The teacher said, ‘Its [sic] a wonderful book.'” (Avoid overusing “[sic]” for minor issues, especially if they don’t significantly affect understanding.)
4. Identify Added Emphasis That Was Not in the Original Quote
When you emphasize certain words in a quoted passage that were not originally emphasized, brackets are used to acknowledge the addition, usually with the phrase “[emphasis added].”
Examples:
- “The speaker concluded, ‘We need to act now [emphasis added] before it’s too late.'”
- “The study found that ‘education is the most important [emphasis added] factor in economic growth.'”
What NOT to Do: “It’s clear that ‘climate change is an urgent [emphasis added] issue of our time.'” (Do not use brackets to overemphasize points unnecessarily or distort the original intent.)
5. Insert Parenthetical Material Inside Parenthetical Material
When adding extra information inside parentheses, brackets are used instead of another set of parentheses to avoid confusion. This keeps the text neat and easy to read.
Examples:
- “The data (collected over five years [2015–2020]) showed significant trends.”
- “The experiment (conducted by the biology department [University of California, Berkeley]) was a success.”
What NOT to Do: “The experiment (run by the team (from Harvard University)) showed clear results.” (Avoid nested parentheses; use brackets instead.)
Rhetorical Use of Brackets
Beyond their technical applications, brackets can also be used rhetorically to guide readers, highlight key points, or add subtle commentary. They allow writers to insert their voice or clarify meaning while maintaining a formal tone. This is especially useful in persuasive writing, where brackets can add emphasis or precision without disrupting the flow.
Examples:
- “The author’s findings [which contradicted earlier research] sparked widespread debate.” (Adds clarification and precision.)
- “Her solution was simple [and brilliant]: increase funding for public health initiatives.” (Adds subtle praise or commentary.)
What NOT to Do: “The results [obviously flawed] were widely accepted.” (Avoid inserting biased or unprofessional commentary in brackets, as it can undermine credibility.)
*Content on this page was curated and edited by expert humans with the creative assistance of AI.