| |
Web Icons
39.1 More on Parentheses (sample revision)
|
Here is a sample revision of the paragraph. Notice that several of the parentheses have been replaced by commas or simply deleted. Some editors may delete the parentheses around the phrase "on Lucy's computer."
Lucy, aged nineteen, was ready to buy a car of her own, but her father, who is the nervous type, frustrated her ambitions. First, he refused to allow her to buy a Geo Metro (too lightweight). Next, he stopped her from even looking at a VW bug (also too lightweight). Then, he prevented her from buying her cousin's '89 Honda (too old). He spent hours (on Lucy's computer) researching crash-test statistics. Finally, Lucy said, "OK, I'll just go buy a new Volvo." Her father was thrilled (until he realized that Lucy was being sarcastic). Lucy finally lost her temper. She pointed out that (1) she was nineteen years old; (2) she had a perfect driving record; and (3) she had limited income. Her father would just have to learn to relax.
|
