1
Core quality
Inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
Example
A parenthetical remark identifies the earlier edition.
parenthetical
/ˌpærənˈθetɪkəl/ · pair-un-THET-ih-kuladjective
Inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
Use parenthetical to express this relationship precisely: inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
What parenthetical Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
The author places the date in a parenthetical aside.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Too many parenthetical comments interrupt the argument.
Use parenthetical Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
A parenthetical remark identifies the earlier edition.
The author places the date in a parenthetical aside.
Too many parenthetical comments interrupt the argument.
Precision Matters
Parenthetical overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
parenthetical
vs.Means inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
fundamental
Means basic, essential, or forming a necessary foundation on which something depends.
parenthetical
vs.Means inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
concise
Means expressing much clearly in relatively few words; brief without omitting what is essential.
parenthetical
vs.Means inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
digress
Means depart temporarily from the main subject in speech or writing.
parenthetical
vs.Means inserted as an explanatory aside or digression, often within parentheses, without being essential to the main sentence.
peripheral
Means situated at the edge or secondary to the main issue.
Test parenthetical in Context
The phrase is an inserted aside rather than an essential sentence element.
1
The sentence remains complete without the ___ phrase enclosed in brackets.