Commas
* Use commas to set off parenthetical phrases if they are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
* *Example:* "The dog, a golden retriever, barked at the mailman."
Parentheses
* Use parentheses to set off parenthetical phrases if they are less important to the sentence than phrases set off by commas.
* *Example:* "The dog (a golden retriever) barked at the mailman."
Dashes
* Use dashes to set off parenthetical phrases that are more emphatic or dramatic than those set off by commas.
* *Example:* "The dog—a golden retriever—barked at the mailman."
Important Notes:
* Punctuation within the parenthetical phrase: If a parenthetical phrase contains a complete sentence, the sentence within the phrase should be punctuated as a complete sentence.
* *Example:* "The dog (he was a golden retriever) barked at the mailman."
* Punctuation outside the parenthetical phrase: If a parenthetical phrase is at the end of a sentence, the punctuation mark for the sentence goes *outside* the closing parenthesis.
* *Example:* "The dog barked at the mailman (he was a golden retriever)."
* No comma before a parenthetical phrase: If a parenthetical phrase follows a conjunction (like "and" or "but"), don't put a comma before the parenthetical phrase.
* *Example:* "The dog barked at the mailman, and he was a golden retriever."
Additional Tips:
* Use parentheses sparingly. Too many parentheticals can make your writing cluttered and difficult to read.
* Be sure that the information within the parenthetical phrase is truly parenthetical, meaning it is not essential to understanding the main sentence.
* Choose the punctuation that best suits the tone and emphasis of your writing.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your parenthetical phrases are punctuated correctly and enhance the clarity and flow of your writing.