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Parentheses and periods

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01-03-05, 04:12 PM
jusork
Parentheses and periods
When you have a word or small phrase in a parenthesis at the end of a sentance, do you still put the period inside the parenthesis like you would with a long phrase in the parenthesis?

Like with this example,

I went to the store (cold.)

For some reason, you have something in parenthesis that's one word. Would the period go inside the parenthesis like the above or outside the parenthesis?....Does that make sense?
01-03-05, 04:59 PM
teeceeum
It goes outside. It doesn't matter where the parenthetical expression falls nor how long it is, unless it is a sentence unto itself.

For example, you could have as easily said, "I went (cold) to the store".
01-03-05, 08:19 PM
jusork
You mean the period always goes after the parenthesis? (I remember just reading somewhere and it had all the periods inside).

So it'd be like that, right? Thanks, Tee.
01-03-05, 08:47 PM
jusork
Oh wait, that's a sentance unto itself, so it would be inside in that instance. So, I've got this now, right?
01-03-05, 09:29 PM
teeceeum
If the parenthetical expression is inside another sentence (no matter where it falls in that sentence) the period is always outside the parens. (But you might have another sentence, such as this one, that would have the period inside because it isn't part of any other sentence.) Inside a sentence, try thinking of the parenthesis as commas.
01-04-05, 02:42 PM
jusork
Ok. That makes perfect sense now! Much thanks.