Square brackets, also known as brackets or box brackets, are a pair of punctuation marks represented by [ ] used in writing for various purposes. Here are some key uses of square brackets:
- Enclosing Editorial Comments: Square brackets are used to insert editorial comments or clarifications within a quoted text to indicate that the added information is not part of the original text.
Example: โShe [the teacher] explained the concept thoroughly.โ - Inserting Missing Information: Square brackets can indicate that some information is missing from a quote or text, and the writer adds it for clarity.
Example: โThe witness stated, โ[The suspect] was wearing a black hoodie.’โ - Grouping Elements in Mathematical Expressions: In mathematical expressions, square brackets are often used to indicate grouping or to clarify the order of operations.
Example: 3ร[2+4]=18 - Citing Modifications in Quotations: When quoting a source, if you need to modify clarity or grammatical correctness, square brackets are used to indicate those modifications.
Example: Original quote: โHe [the professor] stated that the experiment was a success.โ
Square brackets are versatile punctuation marks that serve different purposes in different contexts, helping to enhance clarity and accuracy in writing.
