How and When to Use Parentheses

Khan Academy

In this engaging grammar tutorial, David and Paige break down the proper usage of parentheses, starting with the word's Greek origins meaning "placed beside." The video utilizes a clear, handwritten visual style to demonstrate the difference between the singular "parenthesis" and the plural "parentheses." The instructors define the primary function of this punctuation mark: to separate technically unnecessary information, or "asides," from the rest of a sentence without destroying the sentence's grammatical integrity. The lesson categorizes the utility of parentheses into three distinct functions: indicating additional remarks by a writer, specifying a definition or reference (citation), and showing interruptions in transcribed speech. Through specific examples—such as adding details about a warm cookie, citing a page number from a fictional autobiography, and noting a cough during a speech—the video illustrates how parentheses hold information that can be removed without altering the core meaning of the text. For educators, this resource is an excellent tool for teaching sentence structure and editing skills. It helps students distinguish between essential and non-essential clauses, a critical skill for developing sentence fluency. The video also introduces the concept of citations and transcription conventions in a low-stakes, humorous way, making it valuable for middle school English Language Arts units on mechanics, research writing, and narrative voice.