What does it mean when exclamation marks are used in brackets?
An exclamation mark, strictly speaking should only be used at the end of a sentence and no brackets are required. However, in conversational writing, an exclamation mark is sometimes used in brackets at the end of a phrase, mid-sentence (!) to show where the surprise is to be emphasised. Although incorrect, colourful misuse of punctuation can help to express the writer’s feelings and meaning – to the benefit of the reader – more eloquently than strict adherence to the rules… which may annoy some sticklers to the letter of the law!
