| symbol | name | domain | use | example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] | square brackets | phonetics | transcription | German [bʊnt] |
| syntax | constituency | German [der [alte Bund]] | ||
| ( ) | parentheses | grammar | optionality | German der (alte) Bund |
| < > | angled brackets | writing | orthographic representation | <Bund> |
| { } | curly brackets / braces | phonology | morphophonemic representation | {bund} |
| phonology | alternative options | Spanish {Juan} entra {Juan}. | ||
| syntax | alternative positions | |||
| / / | slashes | phonemic representation | /bunt/ |