brackets
/ˈbræk.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈækəts] /ˈbræk.ɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈækəts] /ˈbra-kət How to pronounce bracket (audio)/ (ame, mw)
brackets — noun
1. a matching pair of marks, such as [ ] or ( ), used to set off extra words, dates
a matching pair of marks, such as [ ] or ( ), used to set off extra words, dates, or grouped parts of a formula.
Maeve put the year in brackets after the museum title.
year in brackets after a title
Use brackets around the missing word before you share the quote.
Haruto forgot the closing brackets, so the computer code would not run.
The maths teacher solved the numbers inside brackets before multiplying by six.
- parentheses
usually means the curved marks ( ), especially in American English
- square brackets
names the box-shaped marks [ ] only
- braces
refers to the curly marks { }, mainly in maths or code
文法句型
in brackets
put something in brackets
inside brackets
用法筆記
A broad term in British English for marks around extra material. In American English, many speakers use 'parentheses' for the curved marks ( ).
常見錯誤
2. steps in a scale with clear upper and lower points, used for things such as age,
steps in a scale with clear upper and lower points, used for things such as age, price, or income.
Families in the lowest tax brackets can get extra heating support.
lowest tax brackets
This camp is only for children in the seven-to-nine age brackets.
age brackets for children
Our shop made special ads for shoppers in higher income brackets.
Tickets move into cheaper brackets after the first week of sales.
文法句型
tax brackets
income brackets
age brackets
用法筆記
Usually follows another noun, especially tax, income, age, or price. It refers to a band on a scale, not a piece of punctuation.
3. angled pieces fixed to a wall, post, or frame to hold up a shelf, lamp, or other
angled pieces fixed to a wall, post, or frame to hold up a shelf, lamp, or other object.
The carpenter fixed new brackets under the kitchen shelf yesterday.
brackets under a shelf
Two steel brackets held the sink while the glue dried overnight.
two steel brackets held the sink
Ari bought white brackets to support the lamp above her desk.
The old brackets bent when the family stacked too many books.
- supports
general word for anything that holds something up
- mounts
often used when the fitting also helps attach an object
- wall braces
stresses strengthening or steadying rather than just carrying weight
文法句型
brackets under a shelf
wall brackets
steel brackets
用法筆記
These are physical supports, often L-shaped, attached to a wall or frame. Common with shelves, lamps, sinks, and screens.
4. the chart that shows who meets whom through the rounds of a tournament.
the chart that shows who meets whom through the rounds of a tournament.
Fans checked the brackets before the school basketball finals began.
check the brackets before finals
One late win changed the brackets for Saturday's tennis matches.
Coach Linh printed fresh brackets after the top seed withdrew.
We filled out the brackets during lunch and guessed every winner.
- draw
common term for tournament pairings, especially outside North America
- pairings
focuses on who plays whom rather than the full chart
- playoff chart
describes the visual layout of later-stage games
文法句型
check the brackets
fill out the brackets
change the brackets
用法筆記
Common in North American sports talk. It can mean the printed chart or the set of pairings shown on that chart.
brackets — verb
- bracketspresent simple I / you / we / they
- bracketses3rd person singular
- bracketsing-ing form
- bracketsedpast simple
1. to enclose words, figures, or notes between a pair of brackets.
to enclose words, figures, or notes between a pair of brackets.
The copy editor bracketed the added date before sending the page.
bracketed the added date
Please bracket the missing numbers so the class can spot them.
Emma bracketed the quiet stage direction in the script margin.
The teacher bracketed the optional answer and marked it as extra.
- enclose
broader and not limited to punctuation marks
- set off
focuses on making something separate in writing
- parenthesize
more specific to round marks and more formal
文法句型
bracket a word
bracket a number
bracket extra information
用法筆記
Common in editing, maths, and computing instructions. The object is the material being enclosed by the marks.
2. to treat people or things as belonging together because they seem alike or close
to treat people or things as belonging together because they seem alike or closely linked.
Critics bracket her early songs with the finest protest records.
bracket A with B in criticism
Do not bracket one missed class with a pattern of cheating.
do not bracket one act with a pattern
Many voters bracket rising rents with low pay and long commutes.
Samir bracketed the small theatre with bigger city arts groups.
文法句型
bracket A with B
be bracketed with
bracket something among
用法筆記
Usually followed by with, alongside, or among. It says the speaker sees a meaningful similarity or connection.
3. to fit something with supporting brackets or hold it in place by using them.
to fit something with supporting brackets or hold it in place by using them.
Workers bracketed the wooden sign to the gate before sunrise.
bracketed the sign to the gate
The crew bracketed the speaker box against the wall for safety.
bracket something against the wall
Rodrigo bracketed the narrow shelf between two painted posts yesterday.
The builder bracketed the porch roof with extra steel supports.
文法句型
bracket something to a wall
bracket something against a frame
bracket with steel supports
用法筆記
More technical than the writing sense. Common in building or installation contexts where brackets physically steady an object.