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Are the parentheses preceded by a space or not? There is a famous/common form where a comment is stated in parentheses, like: - I have searched that, and all (most?) the results were saying the opposite. - I have seen him yesterday (twice!) but he didn't notice me. My question is: Does the space that preceded the parenthesis in that particular usage is essential? I have come across it once with no space preceding it, and it was written by a native (not sure if it was an unintentional mistake). It was stated like this: - I have searched that, and all(most?) the results were saying the opposite. I'm sure there shouldn't be a space when only a punctuation mark is in the parentheses. Thanks in advance
Apr 13, 2019 9:32 PM
Answers · 8
4
The short answer is yes, there should always be a space before the opening bracket of parentheses. In this particular case, however, I think the writer purposely left out the space. They meant to suggest that the appropriate word might be "all," but it might, alternatively, be "almost." (Note the correct spelling of almost, please.) So they're using the parentheses as a kind of short-cut. Though I've done it myself, I think it is a questionable technique, and wouldn't recommend using it to any second language learners.
April 13, 2019
2
There should be a space before the opening parenthesis and after the closing parenthesis. There is no question about it. The phrase "all (most?)" is acceptable at a certain level of formality ("register.") This level is often found in magazine articles. The writer is writing in a conversational tone of voice. The writer is using fairly correct English, probably better English than he or she would use when speaking. However, he is using it in a somewhat relaxed or friendly way. This is an example of conversational written English: "In all (most?) states in the United States, it is legal to make a right turn after stopping at a red light if it is safe to do so." The writer thinks it is legal in every state, but hasn't taken the trouble of actually checking the traffic laws in fifty different states. This is an example of how the same sentence would be written in more formal English: "In most, if not all, states in the United States, it is legal..."
April 14, 2019
2
I'd say that was a mistake and there should always be a space before the parentheses.
April 13, 2019
@Nanren888- 新西兰 - No, it is not meant to be pseudo-English. You have stated such a controversial issue; if you would compromise and provide the reason that made you declare that so I can understand.
April 14, 2019
I'm not sute English has parentheses. So I'm not sure that there are grammar rules as such for them. Yes, it looks ugly without a space, but then if you are writing pseudo-English, pseudo-Tech the rules preobably vary with each house's style guide.
April 13, 2019
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