Brackets

When to use round and square brackets and how to punctuate when using brackets.

Round brackets

Use round brackets when adding extra information to a sentence.

If the sentence is logically and grammatically complete without the information contained within the brackets, the punctuation stays outside the brackets. 

Example

We will contact all postgraduate students (including PhD students).

When a complete sentence is within brackets, the full stop stays within the brackets as well.

Example

Use gloves when conducting experiments. (These are stored in the cupboard.)

Square brackets 

Use square brackets within a quote to indicate a note from the writer that is not part of the original quote. 

Example

“I’ve never been to this building [the Main Library] this late before.”

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