Parenthesis (rhetoric)

Grammatically optional part inserted into a passage

In rhetoric, a parenthesis (pl.: parentheses; from the Ancient Greek word παρένθεσις parénthesis 'injection, insertion', literally '(a) putting in beside') or parenthetical phrase is an explanatory or qualifying word, phrase, clause, or sentence inserted into a passage. The parenthesis could be left out and still form grammatically correct text.^[1] Parenthetical expressions are usually delimited by round brackets (also known as parentheses), square brackets, dashes, or commas. English-language style and usage guides originating in the news industry of the twentieth century, such as the AP Stylebook , recommend against the use of square brackets for parenthesis and other purposes, because "They cannot be transmitted over news wires."^[2] Usage of parentheses goes back (at least) to the 15th century in English legal documents.^[3]

Examples

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Billy-bob, a great singer, was not a good dancer.: The phrase a great singer, set off by commas, is both an appositive and a parenthesis.
A dog (not a cat) is an animal that barks.: The phrase not a cat is a parenthesis.
My umbrella (which is somewhat broken) can still shield the two of us from the rain.: The phrase which is somewhat broken is a parenthesis.
Please, Gerald, come here!: Gerald is both a noun of direct address and a parenthesis.
People who eat broccoli are typically healthier—and happier—than people who don't.: The phrase and happier, set off by dashes, is a parenthesis.

Types

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The following are examples of types of parenthetical phrases:

Introductory phrase: Once upon a time, my father ate a muffin.^[4]
Interjection: My father ate the muffin, gosh damn it!
Aside: My father, if you don't mind me telling you this, ate the muffin.
Appositive: My father, a jaded and bitter man, ate the muffin.
Absolute phrase: My father, his eyes flashing with rage, ate the muffin.
Free modifier: My father, chewing with unbridled fury, ate the muffin.
Resumptive modifier: My father ate the muffin, a muffin which no man had yet chewed.
Summative modifier: My father ate the muffin, a feat which no man had attempted.

Within each example sentence, the parenthetical phrase is the portion that is displayed in an italic font. It is called a "parenthetical" phrase even when it is not delimited by any brackets (such as round -- [or square] -- brackets).