a pair of brackets

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pair of brackets" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the punctuation symbols "( )" or "[ ]". For example, "Place the information in a pair of brackets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Reinforcing the lighter side of the campaign, in addition to the reverse graffiti, are T-shirts, umbrellas and coffee mugs bearing the "Positive and inclusive" theme and logo, a plus sign inside a pair of brackets.

The New York Times

He used the following vocabulary test formats: words in isolation, words in context, and sentence completion, in which one of the words in the target context is replaced by a pair of brackets.

Language Testing in Asia

The granularity relations between corresponding fiat object parts, objects, and object aggregates (i.e. inside a pair of brackets, e.g. between a particular fiat cell part and a cell or a particular cell and a cell aggregate), as well as those between different types of objects (i.e. across brackets, e.g. between a particular atom and a particular molecule), can be determined universally.

Plosone

Select a pair of brackets.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(1) Generate effective channels G ij ( n ) = h i I + ∑ l ∈ { 1, …, i } ∖ { j } h l † h l S j ( n − 1 ) − 1 2, for i = 1, …, K, where the superscript with a pair of bracket, (n), represents the number of iterations.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Brenda Garand, the Dartmouth professor, picked up a C-clamp to which Fane had welded a pair of angle brackets.

The New Yorker

The current remedy for this conflict introduces further complication by enclosing the IPv6 address in a pair of square brackets before using it as an IP address in http_URL, e.g., http://[2001 db8 0000 0 1::1]:8080/file/to/path?query.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

One well-established example is the so called bar-bracket representation, where a secondary structure is modeled as a string over the alphabet Σ: =, with a bar | and a pair of corresponding brackets representing an unpaired nucleotide and two paired bases in the molecule, respectively (see, e.g. [ 30]).

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

Press ^ Ctrl+F9 at the same time to insert a pair of field brackets.

WikiHow

Many years ago, the cultural critic Neil Postman, one of the 20th century's most perceptive critics of technology, predicted that the insights of two writers would, like a pair of bookends, bracket our future.

The Guardian - Tech

Even an 1868 "Handbook of Fictitious Names" didn't help: Felix is listed, but next to his pseudonym is nothing but a mockingly empty pair of brackets.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pair of brackets" to enclose supplementary information, clarifications, or parenthetical statements within your writing.

Common error

Avoid using different types of brackets in a single pair (e.g., using a parenthesis to open and a square bracket to close).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of brackets" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct, used to denote enclosure of some extra information inside the text.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of brackets" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe enclosing symbols, typically parentheses or square brackets. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Its primary function is to denote the inclusion of supplementary information within a text, often signaling a departure from the main thought for added context. While versatile across various writing styles, it's most frequently encountered in scientific, technical, and news-related content. When employing the phrase, ensure that bracket types are matched and that nesting is avoided to maintain readability. It is considered an uncommon phrase according to the number of examples found.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set of parentheses

Replaces "brackets" with a more specific term for round brackets.

pair of parentheses

Specifies the type of brackets as parentheses.

matching brackets

Emphasizes the paired nature of the brackets.

parenthetical marks

Uses a more formal term for brackets used for parenthetical information.

square brackets

Specifies the type of brackets being referred to.

opening and closing brackets

Highlights the two individual components of the bracket pair.

curly braces

Refers to a different type of bracket, often used in programming.

a set of delimiters

Uses a more general term for symbols that enclose content.

a bracketed pair

Inverts the structure to emphasize the enclosed content.

matched delimiters

Emphasizes that the delimiters are correctly paired.

FAQs

How do I use "a pair of brackets" in a sentence?

Use "a pair of brackets" to enclose additional information, explanations, or references within a sentence. For example: "The results (see Appendix A) confirm the hypothesis."

What's the difference between parentheses and "a pair of brackets"?

Parentheses are a specific type of bracket. "A pair of brackets" can refer to parentheses, square brackets, or other types of enclosing symbols, but parentheses always refer to round brackets () specifically.

Is it grammatically correct to use "a pair of brackets" within another "a pair of brackets"?

While grammatically permissible, nesting "a pair of brackets" within another can reduce readability. Consider rephrasing or using a different type of bracket (e.g., square brackets inside parentheses) for clarity.

What can I use instead of "a pair of brackets"?

Depending on the context, you can use commas, dashes, or colons to set off supplementary information instead of "a pair of brackets". Alternatively, you could use "set of parentheses" if you are referring to the round brackets.