Worksheet on using parentheses in sentences, with examples and instructions for students.
Worksheet titled "Using Parentheses" with instructions and sentences for punctuation practice, featuring a light bulb illustration.
PNG
1000×1294
189.7 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #653657
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Using Parentheses Worksheet
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Using Parentheses Worksheet
Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to add parentheses where needed in each sentence to provide additional information, clarify meaning, or define acronyms.
---
- Add extra details or clarification.
- Define acronyms.
- Provide citations (like sources or dates).
- Clarify ambiguous references.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
✔ Problem: "AARP" is an acronym that should be defined the first time it's used.
✔ Fix: Put the full name in parentheses after the acronym.
🔹 Corrected:
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a fine organization.
---
✔ Problem: The phrase “that I mentioned him yesterday” is awkward and redundant. It can be clarified with parentheses to add context.
But actually, the issue is more about clarity — we're referring to a specific man previously mentioned.
We can use parentheses to clarify who "that man" is.
However, the better fix is to remove redundancy and clarify using parentheses.
Rewriting:
That man (the one I mentioned yesterday) is extremely talented.
Alternatively, if keeping original structure:
That man, whom I mentioned yesterday, is extremely talented. → But that uses commas, not parentheses.
But since the instruction says add parentheses, we’ll go with:
🔹 Corrected:
That man (the one I mentioned yesterday) is extremely talented.
---
✔ Problem: The citation (source, page, date) is part of the reference to Croft’s opinion.
This is a citation — so it should be enclosed in parentheses.
🔹 Corrected:
Croft’s opinion (The Atlantic, p. 13, June 4th, 2002) has been held up by a variety of experts.
---
✔ Problem: "Fire engine red" is a descriptive detail explaining the type of red.
It adds clarification — so it can go in parentheses.
But note: "fire engine red" is a common expression. Still, it’s clarifying the shade.
🔹 Corrected:
Jane’s hair was red (fire engine red), and it complemented her green eyes.
> Note: We keep the comma before "and" because it separates two independent clauses.
---
✔ Problem: Redundant: "we adopted him" — "him" is unnecessary. Also, "that cat" refers to a specific cat.
Use parentheses to clarify which cat.
🔹 Corrected:
That cat (the one we adopted a year ago) has been a really great companion for my daughter.
---
✔ Problem: "HHS" is an acronym that needs to be defined.
🔹 Corrected:
The Houston Historical Society (HHS) has a robust membership.
---
✔ Problem: "the one that lives in Georgia" is a clarifying clause.
It defines which sister.
Use parentheses.
🔹 Corrected:
My sister (the one that lives in Georgia) is here for a visit.
> Note: "that" is acceptable; some prefer "who", but grammar-wise, both are okay.
---
✔ Problem: "she is rumored to be a genius" is a nonessential clause describing the student.
This is extra information — perfect for parentheses.
🔹 Corrected:
That student (she is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
> Wait — this sounds awkward. Let’s rephrase naturally.
Actually, better:
That student (who is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
But the original sentence uses "she is rumored..." — so we can adjust slightly.
But to preserve the original wording, perhaps:
That student (she is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
This is grammatically awkward because "she" is not the subject of the main clause.
Better version:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
But if we must use the exact phrasing:
We can try:
That student—she is rumored to be a genius—gets very good grades. → Uses dashes.
But the prompt asks for parentheses.
So best option:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
But if we stick strictly to the original words:
We might write:
That student (she is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
→ This is incorrect grammar because "she" doesn't match the subject.
Therefore, the best correction is:
🔹 Corrected:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
Or, if we want to use the original wording:
That student, she is rumored to be a genius, gets very good grades. → Not correct.
So final decision: Use a concise version with parentheses.
✔ Best Answer:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
---
✔ Problem: "a paradise we ought to respect more" is a description of Earth.
It’s a nonessential clause — so it should be set off.
But it’s currently running into the sentence.
We need to insert parentheses around the descriptive phrase.
🔹 Corrected:
Earth (a paradise we ought to respect more) is our home.
---
1. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a fine organization.
2. That man (the one I mentioned yesterday) is extremely talented.
3. Croft’s opinion (The Atlantic, p. 13, June 4th, 2002) has been held up by a variety of experts.
4. Jane’s hair was red (fire engine red), and it complemented her green eyes.
5. That cat (the one we adopted a year ago) has been a really great companion for my daughter.
6. The Houston Historical Society (HHS) has a robust membership.
7. My sister (the one that lives in Georgia) is here for a visit.
8. That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
9. Earth (a paradise we ought to respect more) is our home.
---
Parentheses are used to:
- Define acronyms (e.g., AARP, HHS)
- Clarify identity (e.g., "the one I mentioned")
- Add citations
- Include descriptive phrases
Always ensure the sentence remains grammatically correct and clear.
✔ All sentences now have appropriate parentheses added!
---
🔹 Guidelines for Using Parentheses:
- Add extra details or clarification.
- Define acronyms.
- Provide citations (like sources or dates).
- Clarify ambiguous references.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. The American Association of Retired Persons AARP is a fine organization.
✔ Problem: "AARP" is an acronym that should be defined the first time it's used.
✔ Fix: Put the full name in parentheses after the acronym.
🔹 Corrected:
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a fine organization.
---
2. That man you may recall that I mentioned him yesterday is extremely talented.
✔ Problem: The phrase “that I mentioned him yesterday” is awkward and redundant. It can be clarified with parentheses to add context.
But actually, the issue is more about clarity — we're referring to a specific man previously mentioned.
We can use parentheses to clarify who "that man" is.
However, the better fix is to remove redundancy and clarify using parentheses.
Rewriting:
That man (the one I mentioned yesterday) is extremely talented.
Alternatively, if keeping original structure:
That man, whom I mentioned yesterday, is extremely talented. → But that uses commas, not parentheses.
But since the instruction says add parentheses, we’ll go with:
🔹 Corrected:
That man (the one I mentioned yesterday) is extremely talented.
---
3. Croft’s opinion The Atlantic, p. 13, June 4th, 2002 has been held up by a variety of experts.
✔ Problem: The citation (source, page, date) is part of the reference to Croft’s opinion.
This is a citation — so it should be enclosed in parentheses.
🔹 Corrected:
Croft’s opinion (The Atlantic, p. 13, June 4th, 2002) has been held up by a variety of experts.
---
4. Jane’s hair was red fire engine red and it complemented her green eyes.
✔ Problem: "Fire engine red" is a descriptive detail explaining the type of red.
It adds clarification — so it can go in parentheses.
But note: "fire engine red" is a common expression. Still, it’s clarifying the shade.
🔹 Corrected:
Jane’s hair was red (fire engine red), and it complemented her green eyes.
> Note: We keep the comma before "and" because it separates two independent clauses.
---
5. That cat we adopted him a year ago has been a really great companion for my daughter.
✔ Problem: Redundant: "we adopted him" — "him" is unnecessary. Also, "that cat" refers to a specific cat.
Use parentheses to clarify which cat.
🔹 Corrected:
That cat (the one we adopted a year ago) has been a really great companion for my daughter.
---
6. The Houston Historical Society HHS has a robust membership.
✔ Problem: "HHS" is an acronym that needs to be defined.
🔹 Corrected:
The Houston Historical Society (HHS) has a robust membership.
---
7. My sister the one that lives in Georgia is here for a visit.
✔ Problem: "the one that lives in Georgia" is a clarifying clause.
It defines which sister.
Use parentheses.
🔹 Corrected:
My sister (the one that lives in Georgia) is here for a visit.
> Note: "that" is acceptable; some prefer "who", but grammar-wise, both are okay.
---
8. That student she is rumored to be a genius gets very good grades.
✔ Problem: "she is rumored to be a genius" is a nonessential clause describing the student.
This is extra information — perfect for parentheses.
🔹 Corrected:
That student (she is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
> Wait — this sounds awkward. Let’s rephrase naturally.
Actually, better:
That student (who is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
But the original sentence uses "she is rumored..." — so we can adjust slightly.
But to preserve the original wording, perhaps:
That student (she is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
This is grammatically awkward because "she" is not the subject of the main clause.
Better version:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
But if we must use the exact phrasing:
We can try:
That student—she is rumored to be a genius—gets very good grades. → Uses dashes.
But the prompt asks for parentheses.
So best option:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
But if we stick strictly to the original words:
We might write:
That student (she is rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
→ This is incorrect grammar because "she" doesn't match the subject.
Therefore, the best correction is:
🔹 Corrected:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
Or, if we want to use the original wording:
That student, she is rumored to be a genius, gets very good grades. → Not correct.
So final decision: Use a concise version with parentheses.
✔ Best Answer:
That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
---
9. Earth a paradise we ought to respect more is our home.
✔ Problem: "a paradise we ought to respect more" is a description of Earth.
It’s a nonessential clause — so it should be set off.
But it’s currently running into the sentence.
We need to insert parentheses around the descriptive phrase.
🔹 Corrected:
Earth (a paradise we ought to respect more) is our home.
---
✔ Final Answers:
1. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a fine organization.
2. That man (the one I mentioned yesterday) is extremely talented.
3. Croft’s opinion (The Atlantic, p. 13, June 4th, 2002) has been held up by a variety of experts.
4. Jane’s hair was red (fire engine red), and it complemented her green eyes.
5. That cat (the one we adopted a year ago) has been a really great companion for my daughter.
6. The Houston Historical Society (HHS) has a robust membership.
7. My sister (the one that lives in Georgia) is here for a visit.
8. That student (rumored to be a genius) gets very good grades.
9. Earth (a paradise we ought to respect more) is our home.
---
📝 Summary:
Parentheses are used to:
- Define acronyms (e.g., AARP, HHS)
- Clarify identity (e.g., "the one I mentioned")
- Add citations
- Include descriptive phrases
Always ensure the sentence remains grammatically correct and clear.
✔ All sentences now have appropriate parentheses added!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of parenthesis worksheet.
