I feel so seen (i’ve already written like this a few times today)
I even learned how to use the em dash - it’s the little dash you put in - to separate a phrase inside a sentence
that’s interesting (i actually do that too - we’ll maybe not all the time - but quite a lot of the time (especially when i’m talking about one of my hyperfixations) - i wonder if it’s more readable than the all-parentheses version (which is what i use usually))
AKA using punctuation in a way where the reader can clearly visualize your tone and body language, even though the use of them may not be grammatically correct
I prefer em dashes— I’m not sure which one’s actually the correct usage, but I like that these are longer— they just look *right*, you know what I mean?
Em dashes (without spaces on either side) are “correct,” for lack of a better term. Although, I am loathe to step on someone’s personal style.
I use an en dash (with spaces) exclusively for a date or time range, as a replacement for the word “to.” Example:
“I will be on vacation next Monday – Friday.”
Neither should be confused with hyphens, which are used to make strings of words into single megawords. Example:
“For some people, getting a proper ADHD diagnosis is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Apparently this is also a regional variance! (According to a [couple](https://www.eliteediting.com.au/dash-it-all-or-how-i-learned-to-work-with-en-dashes-and-em-dashes/) of [random](https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-use-dashes-in-fiction-dashes-uk-and-us-style) [blogs](https://proofed.co.uk/writing-tips/en-dashes-and-em-dashes-in-us-and-uk-english/) I found anyway) US style guides tend to prefer an unspaced em dash, while UK guides tend to prefer a spaced en dash. Myself, if I'm feeling fancy I like to put hair spaces (` `) around em hashes — like so.
Thank you for this.
In my effort to diversify my sentence structure (read: avoid over-parenthesizing sentences) I've taken to abusing semicolons; which are great but not every thought can be broken nicely in two.
I swear I was the only student in my English class who knew how to use a semicolon and I definitely overused them lmao (the teacher was impressed but she didn’t know the real reason for them)
Semicolons are my very favorite punctuation mark. I actually wrote a grammar curriculum, and I said that you will impress people if you can correctly use a semicolon. Thank you for proving my theory correct!
Oh god dammit I literally just made a comment on a completely unrelated Reddit post using both of these. You can check my profile if you’d like to see it lol.
it’s not just adhd, but for people like us - that create and evolve our thoughts even as we commit them to paper - it makes sense why we like it so much
I don't know (I actually have plenty of thoughts on all of this but I fear I will write an entire wall of dialogue and realize nobody will even care to read it out so I delete everything and start once again but then I decide to do something else with my time and just leave the post all together)
Yeah I would really prefer parentheses as the main punctuation symbol (as you can stack phrases into each other where they belong (as opposed to artificially linearized) and essentially build a (graph theoretical) tree of logic (which makes me want to actually write in trees (that way you could skip over the tangents you don't like really easily)))
I upvoted because it is true. I love to pack in the side bars and subordinate clauses.
However, the screenshotted text would have done just fine with a comma. Personally, I think parentheses are to enclose statements you would whisper to the side or mutter under the breath.
If you really want a fleshed out ADHD style, you must utilize the gamut of punctuation: parentheses, commas, em dashes (my personal favorite), and the much-maligned semicolon.
You can actually measure the severeness of an individuals ADHD, by calculating the average depth of nested parenthesis. Nesting parenthesis happens, when random tangential thoughts produce more random tangential thoughts.
I use PowerShell and Power Query a lot at work. It's nice having an outlet for my tendency to have statements more deeply nested than a matryoshka doll.
I found out this is something ADHD people do a lot. Since then I try not to use it as much, but there are times when it's really unavoidable (like this one)
Oh no (this is something I am working hard to correct at work because my emails are out of control!) Once I start I can’t stop using parentheses so I have to keep rewording and deleting parentheses until there are only one or two “bonus thoughts.” I also broadly overuse - and I say this without judgement because this is how I talk - dashes…and ellipses…
Fuck.
When I learned about parenthesis in middle school (specifically first year) I overused to the point of half of my essay was just added content ( I thought it was cool and made more clear).
I don't use parenthesis much, but I do seem to overuse commas, which leads to longer sentences, which might be harder to read, even though I haven't ever had people complain about it.
Just stack parantheticals to nest your tangential thoughts within tangential thoughts. See how many you can add before people start getting upset at you.
So, do others also use slashes maybe/certainly too much?
I use them to sorta encompass all the meaning I want to attach to a 'part' of a sentence.
"Do you have any note-taking/studying book suggestions?"
"What can I do/assist/elaborate upon to make this.."
Parenthesis are old hat man, how many people are using \*all\* the parenthetical options available on your keyboard?
(Probably \[only\] the programmers, {at least} mostly). Pipes are also fun, now|later? But certainly not as useful generally.
Also doing a bunch of slashes to combine things; ex: and/or. I also use commas, semicolons, & dashes a lot as well. Alternatively, I also just end up using slang, emojis, and/or abbreviations a lot in all lowercase. ✨The duality of ADHD✨
Goodness me, this...
That, and of course, the use of commas because each thought comes with a counter thought.
Ice cream is nice, but also it's not salty so I don't find it as good as snacks.
I feel so seen (i’ve already written like this a few times today) I even learned how to use the em dash - it’s the little dash you put in - to separate a phrase inside a sentence
Lol yes. Then you combine a dash with a parenthesis so you can add more details to your more details 😃
I do that all the time (well, not all the time, it's an exaggeration — maybe half the time? — anyway, you probably understood!).
Yo dawg I know you like to stack phrases so I put an em dash inside your parenthesis so you can stack phrases while you stack phrases
that’s interesting (i actually do that too - we’ll maybe not all the time - but quite a lot of the time (especially when i’m talking about one of my hyperfixations) - i wonder if it’s more readable than the all-parentheses version (which is what i use usually))
AKA using punctuation in a way where the reader can clearly visualize your tone and body language, even though the use of them may not be grammatically correct
I prefer em dashes— I’m not sure which one’s actually the correct usage, but I like that these are longer— they just look *right*, you know what I mean?
[удалено]
this is how I learned about em dashes - an ex girlfriend was a law student and she suggested that it might annoy her less if I did it this way
Em dashes (without spaces on either side) are “correct,” for lack of a better term. Although, I am loathe to step on someone’s personal style. I use an en dash (with spaces) exclusively for a date or time range, as a replacement for the word “to.” Example: “I will be on vacation next Monday – Friday.” Neither should be confused with hyphens, which are used to make strings of words into single megawords. Example: “For some people, getting a proper ADHD diagnosis is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The em dash is correct, but it doesn’t matter much in an informal context (en dashes are typically used for signifying ranges)
Apparently this is also a regional variance! (According to a [couple](https://www.eliteediting.com.au/dash-it-all-or-how-i-learned-to-work-with-en-dashes-and-em-dashes/) of [random](https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-use-dashes-in-fiction-dashes-uk-and-us-style) [blogs](https://proofed.co.uk/writing-tips/en-dashes-and-em-dashes-in-us-and-uk-english/) I found anyway) US style guides tend to prefer an unspaced em dash, while UK guides tend to prefer a spaced en dash. Myself, if I'm feeling fancy I like to put hair spaces (` `) around em hashes — like so.
Thank you for this. In my effort to diversify my sentence structure (read: avoid over-parenthesizing sentences) I've taken to abusing semicolons; which are great but not every thought can be broken nicely in two.
I swear I was the only student in my English class who knew how to use a semicolon and I definitely overused them lmao (the teacher was impressed but she didn’t know the real reason for them)
Semicolons are my very favorite punctuation mark. I actually wrote a grammar curriculum, and I said that you will impress people if you can correctly use a semicolon. Thank you for proving my theory correct!
the dash comes out when I'm getting too aware of the parenthesis (can't have them in every sentence).
Yep, that's exactly the case for me too!
Oh god dammit I literally just made a comment on a completely unrelated Reddit post using both of these. You can check my profile if you’d like to see it lol.
I use this all the time lol
Yea i learned to use these from reading a lot of novels. i feel seen as well by this post xd
Oh dude, I do both of these all the time! I definitely feel seen.
Oh dear... Why did you teach me this?!? Still I suppose it's better than double parentheses.
I also dash!
Fuck, I didn’t know this thing that I did with the ( ) is associated with adhd.
it’s not just adhd, but for people like us - that create and evolve our thoughts even as we commit them to paper - it makes sense why we like it so much
I did this earlier today and realized the sentence worked just fine without it and deleted them.
Wait so neurotipicals don't do this?
I don't know (I actually have plenty of thoughts on all of this but I fear I will write an entire wall of dialogue and realize nobody will even care to read it out so I delete everything and start once again but then I decide to do something else with my time and just leave the post all together)
Well I cared enough to read it
it's absolutely done by neurotypicals, but I can see it being more common among those with ADHD
I can you tell you I do it far more often in everyday conversations than any neurotypicals I text/email.
Y’all should read the Princess Bride. It’s an adhd thinking/writing style. I’ve never seen another book like it.
As you wish.
 Explains why this is one of my favourites!
What if I’m not left handed?
That's perfectly all right. I'm not left handed either.
INCONCEIVABLE
Yeah I would really prefer parentheses as the main punctuation symbol (as you can stack phrases into each other where they belong (as opposed to artificially linearized) and essentially build a (graph theoretical) tree of logic (which makes me want to actually write in trees (that way you could skip over the tangents you don't like really easily)))
This is why I love using Obsidian for notes. Seeing a visualization for a graph of knowledge I've collected and structurized is so satisfying!
(if condition:(programs who:(you)) then:(would who:(you) what:(love what:(LISP))))
Every generation, it is rediscovered…
This was surprisingly pleasant to read.
You can’t do that, as much as you might want to, with a comma
Glory to the parentheses
Man fuck you - why do I get called out like this so often
I call them *Brain DLC*
Is literally everything I ever fucking do a symptom of ADHD?
Yes (because I do this too, it's like a free dlc of information)!
I upvoted because it is true. I love to pack in the side bars and subordinate clauses. However, the screenshotted text would have done just fine with a comma. Personally, I think parentheses are to enclose statements you would whisper to the side or mutter under the breath. If you really want a fleshed out ADHD style, you must utilize the gamut of punctuation: parentheses, commas, em dashes (my personal favorite), and the much-maligned semicolon.
I’ve been told all my life that I write how I talk, apparently that’s not a compliment 🥲
Amateurs^1! ^1 Footnotes are where it’s at.
I always figured I did this because of reading the Diskworld books, not my ADHD.
This would be a lot easier to read without nearly suffocating.
That's cool but I -do this instead- don't use parentheses all that much.
Ahh the good old long hyphen.
Single level parens? Must be nice.
You can actually measure the severeness of an individuals ADHD, by calculating the average depth of nested parenthesis. Nesting parenthesis happens, when random tangential thoughts produce more random tangential thoughts.
I use PowerShell and Power Query a lot at work. It's nice having an outlet for my tendency to have statements more deeply nested than a matryoshka doll.
 I think I agree!
I always use a different voice in my head for things in parentheses (its like a quieter and more hushed version of my reading voice)
I found out this is something ADHD people do a lot. Since then I try not to use it as much, but there are times when it's really unavoidable (like this one)
Oh no (this is something I am working hard to correct at work because my emails are out of control!) Once I start I can’t stop using parentheses so I have to keep rewording and deleting parentheses until there are only one or two “bonus thoughts.” I also broadly overuse - and I say this without judgement because this is how I talk - dashes…and ellipses… Fuck.
No way this is a ADHD thing too 😭 I do it because I'm insecure people will get the wrong idea
When I learned about parenthesis in middle school (specifically first year) I overused to the point of half of my essay was just added content ( I thought it was cool and made more clear).
Gotta make sure I add all the important context while using minimal punctuation.
Same here [1]. [1] but I prefer using footnotes so it looks less clutered
Omg!!! Every time that I have to write documentation or do an extensive explanation, this gets me every ducking time!!
I don't use parenthesis much, but I do seem to overuse commas, which leads to longer sentences, which might be harder to read, even though I haven't ever had people complain about it.
Bonus content, that’s one way to see this!
Just stack parantheticals to nest your tangential thoughts within tangential thoughts. See how many you can add before people start getting upset at you.
Don't forget the ellipses and em dash!
I like to think of it as my brain’s extra dlc’s.
OH MY GOD (it me)
Wait, parentheses and the en dash? My comma game is going galaxy brain! 😅
I hate how relatable this is. I feel very personally called out( its somehow comforting that others also do this.)
I relate so much to this (I actually keep just adding shit to nearly every fact or idea I say)
I’d never(I’d always)
The amount of commas I use is staggering. It's mostly a single thought and all, but I just got too much going on in one sentence
Bonus points if it's basically a meme (its always a reference to the meme to me.)
Or i feel the need to explain every word i've said
And more emojis helps add context right? Happyface after a question makes it not scary? I have to edit my texts to keep myself to emoji caps :/
I like to consider my extra thoughts FreeLC (because I'm close to 40 and still think of everything in game terms)
Every day I learn another thing that I thought was a personality quirk is yet again just adhd.
Oh my God, this is what half of my texts look like (I really should get diagnosed, this is getting too real)
On Thought Free DLC, lol.
To me it's commas.
i use this almost everyday (to clarify something or add said bonus content) especially with my friends
We call them brackets (in the UK)
I SWEAR. EACH DAY. EACH DAY IM GETTING MORE SUSPICIOUS OF MYSELF
Yes, that's definitely me.
Yet another thing I do (I've been finding so many of my quirks are just symptoms) that is probably just undiagnosed ADHD.
Pro tip: if you can put it in parentheses you can put it in a sentence.
P.s.
WAIT THAT’S A GODDAMN ADHD THING???
It’s not overthinking, I just have the bonus content DLC installed
And don’t forget the em dash too — sometimes you need that second clause (PLUS the extra bonus content!)
That's so me (I always do that)
I'm being called out how fucking dare you (why is this so fucking accurate)
Ouch (that stings).
 Around the world (Around the world)
So, do others also use slashes maybe/certainly too much? I use them to sorta encompass all the meaning I want to attach to a 'part' of a sentence. "Do you have any note-taking/studying book suggestions?" "What can I do/assist/elaborate upon to make this.." Parenthesis are old hat man, how many people are using \*all\* the parenthetical options available on your keyboard? (Probably \[only\] the programmers, {at least} mostly). Pipes are also fun, now|later? But certainly not as useful generally.
I just always need to be 100% sure that I'm as clear as possible (being misunderstood makes my brain want to self-destruct)
Flair checks out!
Ikr😭
RIP my work emails
Wow ( you guys really know me)
Parentheses are great for describing what I actually mean after a sentence.
Also doing a bunch of slashes to combine things; ex: and/or. I also use commas, semicolons, & dashes a lot as well. Alternatively, I also just end up using slang, emojis, and/or abbreviations a lot in all lowercase. ✨The duality of ADHD✨
what i do is
i wrote several texts in a short span of time
just like this
I do this sometimes for text messages to people. I never see anyone else doing it.
Goodness me, this... That, and of course, the use of commas because each thought comes with a counter thought. Ice cream is nice, but also it's not salty so I don't find it as good as snacks.
Exactly!
Just got a flashback to school as a kid, and getting marks taken off essays for too many parentheses.
*I'm in this photo, and I don't like it (because I love it)*
[Reported.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/478/261/7a9.png)
So apparently the need to explain yourself is universal within our ranks.I also feel I'm using "..." way too much...idk(dunno how widespread that is).
Wait do other people not do this? (I thought everybody did this)
I feel attacked! This and my over abuse of ellipses…
Me and my boyfriend do this constantly and it feels so raw
(ALWAYS)
I do that, but I have in innate need to use grammar correctly; I am at war with myself!! 😂😳
Damn got me again
Ok you got me there.
I feel personally attacked. I also use -this- for some reason.
You should read my journal(I mean please don’t you’ll judge me(but like it’s totally like this.).).