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: “She [the teacher] explained the concept thoroughly.”
- 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: “The witness stated, ‘[The suspect] was wearing a black hoodie.’”
- Grouping Elements in Mathematical Expressions: In mathematical expressions, square brackets are often used to indicate grouping or to clarify the order of operations.
Example: 3×[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: “He [the professor] stated that the experiment was a success.”
Square brackets are versatile punctuation marks that serve different purposes in different contexts, helping to enhance clarity and accuracy in writing.