curly braces

USAGE SUMMARY

"curly braces" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It can be used to refer to the curly brackets "{ }", which are used to group together multiple terms or phrases in a set. For example: "We wrote down all the items we needed in curly braces: milk, eggs, butter, bread, and sugar."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

An alias is enclosed in curly braces.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Within curly braces, the set of fields composing the frame are listed.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Statements are usually enclosed in curly braces and delimited by semicolons.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The multiplier is an integer greater than one and enclosed in curly braces.

Journal of Cheminformatics

As usual square braces indicate optional items and curly braces indicate potentially empty repetition.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Following that, field-specific information such as data redundancy, size, and duration are defined within curly braces.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

A component notation that does not begin with an opening curly brace is a plain SMILES or an annotated SMILES notation.

Journal of Cheminformatics

A special format notation begins with an opening and ends with a closing curly brace and includes an alias or a notation for a structure that defies molecular-graph encoding.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Quote, Curly Brace, and Balrog leave the island to live out their days in peace.

Wikipedia

Curly Brace has also been thrown into the Labyrinth and they cooperate to escape.

Wikipedia

Depending on certain conditions, the player may rescue Curly Brace, who had sacrificed her air tank to save the player character.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing code or technical documentation, consistently use "curly braces" to define blocks of code, sets, or other grouped elements for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "curly braces" interchangeably with other types of brackets (parentheses or square brackets). Each has distinct meanings and applications, especially in programming and mathematics.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "curly braces" is as a noun, specifically a plural noun referring to a pair of punctuation marks. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. In technical contexts, it acts as a technical term.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

Wiki

20%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "curly braces" refers to the punctuation marks { and }, often used in programming, mathematics, and technical writing. According to Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used. It functions primarily as a noun. Usage varies from formal and scientific to informal, depending on the setting. While interchangeable with "curly brackets", it's important to avoid confusion with other bracket types. Common contexts include science, wiki, and news, highlighting its relevance in technical and documentation-heavy fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curly brackets

This is the most direct synonym, using a different but equally common term for the same symbols.

braces

This is a shorter, more general term that encompasses "curly braces" along with other types of braces like parentheses and square brackets.

set delimiters

This refers to the function of curly braces as symbols that define the boundaries of a set.

set notation

This describes curly braces within the context of mathematical sets.

grouping symbols

This describes curly braces and related symbols as tools to group terms.

field delimiters

This refers to the use of curly braces to delimit fields of information, such as in databases or code.

block delimiters

This describes the use of curly braces for code.

{ and } symbols

This is a literal description of the curly braces symbols themselves.

squiggly brackets

This is an informal term used to describe curly braces, adding a sense of playfulness or casualness.

special format notation

This denotes the usage of curly braces in special formats.

FAQs

How are "curly braces" used in programming?

In many programming languages, "curly braces" are used to define blocks of code, such as the body of a function or a loop. They indicate the start and end of a set of statements that should be executed together.

What is the difference between "curly braces", square brackets, and parentheses?

"Curly braces", square brackets, and parentheses are all grouping symbols but have different uses. "Curly braces" often denote sets or code blocks. Square brackets are used for lists or array indexing. Parentheses are used for mathematical expressions or function arguments.

Can I use other terms instead of "curly braces"?

Yes, "curly brackets" is the most common alternative. You can also use the more general term "braces", but be sure the context makes it clear you're referring to the curly variety.

When are "curly braces" used in mathematical notation?

"Curly braces" are primarily used to define sets in mathematical notation. For example, {1, 2, 3} represents the set containing the numbers 1, 2, and 3.