10) Brackets and Parentheses
The difference between a 'bracket' and a 'parentheses' can be a bit confusing. Generally, parentheses refers to round brackets () and brackets to square brackets []. However, we are more and more used to hearing these refered to simply as 'round brackets' or 'square brackets'.
Usually we use square brackets - [ ] - for special purposes such as in technical manuals. Round brackets - ( ) -, or 'parentheses' are used in a similar way to commas when we want to add further explanation, an afterthought, or comment that is to do with our main line of thought but distinct from it. Many grammarians feel that the parentheses can, in fact, be replaced by commas in nearly all cases.