Parentheses ( )

The parentheses are used to indicate that the information inside them is less important than the other information given.

Examples:

Jimmy Kimmel (my favorite comedian) has decided to retire.

The assignments that follow (chapters 4, 5, and 6) will help you understand more about probability.

Also place parentheses around numbers that introduce items in a list within a sentence.

Example:

My new weight loss program consists of (1) jogging, (2) weight lifting, and (3) sit-ups.