Meaning & use
bracketed
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“bracketed” is a form of “bracket”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Past tense of bracket: placed a word, phrase, or number inside brackets.
Grammar: Takes an object: bracket a word. In passive, be bracketed.
Patterns
- bracket something
- be bracketed with something
- bracketed word
The editor bracketed the unclear phrase for later checking.
In the essay, the dates were bracketed to show they were uncertain.
She bracketed the word 'however' to mark it as an addition.
verbtransitive
Past tense of bracket: grouped people or things together as similar.
Grammar: Often used in passive: be bracketed with/together.
Patterns
- bracket someone with someone
- bracket things together
The two writers are often bracketed together because of their similar style.
He was bracketed with the more radical members of the group.
Don't bracket all young people together; they have different views.
Word forms
| base form | bracket |
|---|---|
| third person singular | brackets |
| past tense | bracketed |
| past participle | bracketed |
| -ing form | bracketing |
Common combinations
- bracketed word
- The bracketed word can be omitted without changing the meaning.
- bracketed together
- The two artists are often bracketed together in reviews.
- be bracketed with
- She was bracketed with the most promising new poets.
- bracketed number
- The bracketed number refers to the notes at the end.
Synonyms and how they differ
- parenthesized
- More formal and specifically means put inside parentheses (round brackets).
- grouped
- Used for the 'group together' sense, but does not imply brackets.
Word family
- bracket noun
- A punctuation mark or a support fixed to a wall.
- bracketing noun
- The act of putting brackets around something.
Commonly confused: bracketed or bracketed word?
bracketed vs bracketed word
This is a phrase meaning a word inside brackets, not a verb form.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Bracket' is a transitive verb, so it takes a direct object: bracket the word. The other options use incorrect prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bracketed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.