My (parenthetical notation formularization)

[allchopin]

We all write sentences daily, often with ambiguities in them.  These are usually interpreted no problem by the brain, but sometimes they must be clarified.  I have come up with a formularization of sorts that clears up these problems combining simple algebraic principles with English grammar rules.  For instance:

You want to say that you like to jog and that you do jumprope (although you may not necessarily like it).

Normally, you would write:
"I like to jog and jumprope."

 - This could be interpreted that you like to jog AND jumprope both, when really, you only like to jog but you also jumprope.  So, using parentheses, this problem is cleared up by stating:
"I like (to jog) and jumprope."

Now, say that you want like to jog AND you like to jumprope.  Using the distributive property, we can accurately write:
"I like (to jog and jumprope)."

Now, instead of writing that you like each one, the 'like' is distributed to both actions, making EVERYONE's life much easier!

[schnabels_grandson]

Oh, how I hoped this day would come!  Finally, an understandable way of writing!  Confusion no longer reigns on Piano Forum!

[cziffra]

parenthesis are for surplus information desirable but unneeded for the sentence.  the sentence has to function fine if they're removed.

you're sentences become "i like" or "i like and jumprope."  that would drive me mad, reading that.

[allchopin]

Oh, no Cziffra, I don't think you understand.  The parenthesis become obsolete in the sense that what is inside is simply additional information.  Because what is inside is very important to the sentence- it IS the sentence.

The parenthesis act only as a grouping set, and like I mentioned, like parenthesis normally used in algebra.  When you write 2(x+3) you could also write 2x +6, but it isn't simplified or efficient.

So, if you wanted to apply a verb, preposition, etc. to two different objects, you would replace the '2' with your word.  For example, a simple mathematical expression analogized to a "new" sentence:

 2    (              x                +         3       )
I like (to shop for pianos and pancakes).

Thus, instead of chaos when the interpreter reads that the person likes to shop for both pianos and pancakes, they then understand that they like to shop and that they like pancakes, both entirely different meanings.

I'm hoping this will catch and on a statue of myself will be sited for all to ponder.   Parenthesis will never be the same again!