: Re: Can I use parenthesis in a conversation I wrote a dialogue as follows: Then he said to her: "I told you I won't do that! (And I think you shouldn't either)". Somebody then asked me:

@Martha805

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1. Is it correct?

Yes, it is correct.

Example 1: Using parentheses to indicate words of less importance such as during a digression or mumbling.

"... I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time."

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Example 2: Using parentheses to indicate action of the speaker or present some other information not spoken by the speaker.

"... Yes, I understand the sort of mind. Vigorous, decided, with sentiments to a certain point, not coarse. A better written letter, Harriet, (returning it,) than I had expected."

Jane Austen, Emma

This seems a better usage of parentheses in dialogue than in Example 1.

2. Is it usual?

While parentheses are very usual and prevalent in general text to present extra information, I've rarely seen it being used inside quotes (but then again, I'm not a very well read person). Commas are more preferred in dialogue.

Using parentheses inside dialogue such as in Example 2 can be a very useful tool to the author.

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