Mastering Brace And Kets: A Comprehensive Guide

Brackets are punctuation marks used to include information that is not essential to the main point of a sentence. They are a type of parenthesis, used to add extra details to a sentence without changing its meaning. There are four main types of brackets: curved brackets or parentheses, square brackets, curly brackets, and angle brackets. Each type of bracket has specific rules and functions, and they are used differently in various forms of writing, including academic, technical, and mathematical. In this text, we will explore the correct usage of brace brackets and provide guidelines to improve your writing.

Using brace kets to indicate a list within a list

Curly brackets, also known as braces, are used to indicate a list within a list. They are used to denote a list of equal choices. For example, in the sentence "I need to go to the store today for laundry detergent, pet food, and dairy products {milk, cheese, yoghurt}.", the words inside the curly brackets constitute a list within a list.

Curly brackets are also used in mathematics, computer programming, and music. In mathematics, they are used to indicate sets, with the content inside the curly brackets defining the elements of the set. In computer programming, curly brackets are used in many coding languages to enclose groups of statements and create a local scope. In music, curly brackets, known as "accolades" or "braces", are used to connect two or more lines of music that are played simultaneously.

It is important to note that the use of curly brackets may vary depending on the specific style guide or discipline being followed. While they are commonly used to indicate a list within a list, they may have different applications in different fields.

Using brace kets in mathematics to indicate functions or number sets

Braces, also known as curly brackets, are used in mathematics to indicate functions or number sets.

Using Braces to Indicate Functions

Braces can be used to denote the grouping of mathematical terms, usually as the outermost delimiter in a complex expression. For example, in the expression:

{ [3 + 2] x [6 – 4] + 2} x 4

The outermost braces indicate that the terms within the brackets should be multiplied together before multiplying by 4.

Using Braces to Indicate Number Sets

Braces can also be used to delineate a set of numbers. For example, the expression:

{2, 6, 14, 28}

Indicates a specific set of numbers within the range.

Using brace kets to indicate a change in capitalisation

Brackets are punctuation marks that function in pairs—one bracket opens the text, and the second bracket closes it. They are used to include information that is not essential to the main point of a sentence. This information is usually supplementary, and the sentence's meaning would remain unchanged if it were removed.

There are four main types of brackets:

• Curved Brackets or Parentheses (): These are the most commonly used brackets and are often referred to simply as "brackets" or "parentheses". They are used to include non-essential information or to cite sources.
• Square Brackets [ ]: Square brackets are used to include additional information from an outside source or to add information to a quote without changing its meaning.
• Curly Brackets or Braces {}: Curly brackets are rarely used in writing and are mostly found in math, computer programming, or music. In writing, they can be used to designate a list of equal choices or introduce a set of items or people.
• Angle Brackets or Pointy Brackets < >: Angle brackets are also not common in modern writing, except in computer programming or to set off URLs in text.

When using any type of bracket, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure they are used correctly. These guidelines include using brackets sparingly, avoiding nested brackets (brackets within brackets), and using them consistently throughout a piece of writing.

Now, let's focus on using brackets to indicate a change in capitalisation:

When incorporating a quote into your writing, it is generally important to preserve the original capitalisation. However, if you need to change the case of a letter to fit the quotation syntactically into your sentence, you should indicate this change using square brackets or parentheses. For example:

Original quote: "Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world."

To lowercase the first letter of the first word: "In 'A Defence of Poetry,' Shelley argues that ' [p]oets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.'"

By using square brackets or parentheses around the "p," you signal to the reader that you have made a change to the original text. This practice ensures the integrity of the quoted source while allowing you to adapt it to fit syntactically into your sentence.

Remember that different style guides may have specific protocols for using brackets, so it is always a good idea to consult the relevant style guide for your field or discipline.

Using brace kets to censor objectionable content

Using Brackets to Censor Objectionable Content

Brackets are punctuation marks used within a sentence to include information that is not essential to the main point. They are useful when you have important information to include in a sentence but are struggling to find a spot for it. There are four main types of brackets:

• Curved Brackets or Parentheses (...) are the most common and are used to add extra (usually non-essential) information to a sentence or to cite sources. For example: "George Washington (the first president of the United States) gave his farewell address in 1796."
• Square Brackets [...] are often used to include additional information from an outside source or to add editorial changes, such as corrections or comments, to a quote. For instance: "The man stated that he 'never wants to see them [his neighbours] again.'"
• Curly Brackets {...} are used in prose to designate a list of equal choices and in maths to indicate numbers in a set.
• Angle Brackets <> are used to enclose and highlight information.

When using brackets to censor objectionable content, square brackets are the most appropriate as they are used to add information or make changes to a quote. For example, if you are quoting someone and there is objectionable content in the original quote, you can use square brackets to substitute for the word or phrase. This is particularly relevant when the content is not appropriate for your intended audience. For instance: "The UFO was [expletive] huge!"

It is important to note that brackets should not be overused as this can lead to cluttered and confusing text. When using brackets for censorship, ensure that you are only censoring where necessary and consider whether the content is truly inappropriate for your audience.

In addition to manual censorship using brackets, automated systems can also be used to censor social media posts, particularly in countries with strict censorship laws, such as China. These automated systems censor content based on specific keywords or topics deemed sensitive or objectionable by the governing body.

To combat censorship, individuals can use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access content restricted by their nation. Additionally, alternative media platforms and print initiatives can help disseminate information that may be censored by mainstream channels.

Using brace kets for editorial material inside quotations

Brackets are used to insert explanations, corrections, clarifications, or comments into quoted material. They are always used in pairs, with one bracket opening the text and the other closing it.

Square brackets are the most common type of bracket used for editorial material inside quotations. They are used to include words within a quote that are not part of the original quote. This could be to clarify the meaning, correct a mistake, or add emphasis. For example:

> Jim said, "She [Julie] finished the report last week."

> "No more [government] equipment will be purchased for use in the facility," said Mark.

> "We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself [italics added]." —Martin Luther King, Jr.

> "That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind [emphasis ours]." —Neil Armstrong

> "China stole the United States Navy research drone in international waters in an unpresidented [sic] act."

> "I always knew I’d make it too [sic] the major leagues," the new pitcher posted on social media.

Curly brackets are rarely used in writing but can be used to denote a list within a list. For example:

> "I need to go to the store today for laundry detergent, pet food, and dairy products {milk, cheese, yoghurt}."

It is important to note that the use of brackets should be limited, as overuse can lead to cluttered and confusing text. Additionally, when using brackets to insert or alter words in a direct quotation, be sure to use square brackets and not parentheses.

Frequently asked questions