We all know that if a parenthesis contains complete sentences, the complete sentences must end with a period (full stop), question mark, or exclamation point.

We also know that a comma can be written after a parenthesis.

However, can a parenthesis that contains complete sentences have a comma written after it? Is the following sentence (particularly the somewhat highlighted part) grammatically correct?

"If a character dies (Being turned into stone while still alive does not count as dying.), the character can be revived by using a soul crystal."

A parenthetical that doesn't stand alone between other independent sentences isn't formatted as an independent sentence.  Your sentence would be formatted:

"If a character dies (being turned into stone while still alive does not count as dying), the character can be revived by using a soul crystal."

... or ...

"If a character dies, the character can be revived by using a soul crystal.  (Being turned into stone while still alive does not count as dying.)"

In reply to Dream Sequence (msg # 2):

This is the one time I deeply wish I could upvote a post. Your response made my brain very happy. Thank you!

In reply to Dream Sequence (msg # 2):

Let's say it does stand alone between the other independent sentences and it should be formatted as an independent sentence. Is the ".)," part grammatically correct?

In reply to Dream Sequence (msg # 2):

Perfectly stated.

In reply to Zephydel (msg # 4):

No, because if the parenthetical stands alone then you wouldn't need that trailing comma to separate it from anything.

"Parentheses are awesome.  (Everybody knows this.)  They're a bit fussy to punctuate, though!"

... not ...

"Parentheses are awesome.  (Everybody knows this.),  They're a bit fussy to punctuate, though!"

This message was deleted by the user at 01:18, Tue 05 Dec 2023.

In reply to Dream Sequence (msg # 6):

I actually thought about not putting a comma but I was not sure. I should probably do that.

Thanks for the help.

Simply removing the comma from your original post does not solve the problem. Dream Sequence has offered the various solutions.

Actually, removing the period fixes that original post, although  the upper case B in being should be lower case, as well.

Which was one of DS' solutions
This message was last edited by the user at 01:34, Tue 05 Dec 2023.

In reply to 1492 (msg # 9):

I went for this solution...

In reply to Zephydel (msg # 11):

Perfect!
This message was last edited by the user at 01:43, Tue 05 Dec 2023.

In reply to tmagann (msg # 10):

Yes, but Zephydel was proposing to delete the comma, and that would have made the first sentence incomplete.


But an acceptable solution has now been reached, so it's all good, as they say.
This message was last edited by the user at 01:44, Tue 05 Dec 2023.

That was his second proposal, yes. The first was the one mentioned just previous. He put two in that post.

In reply to tmagann (msg # 14):

I've read every post three times now and I don't follow what you're talking about, but it's of no consequence. Dream Sequence gave perfect responses and he chose one of the solutions offered. All good.

One big problem with your example (and very likely, a reason we never see the ".)," combination) is that the parenthetical statement, while potentially functioning as a complete sentence, is in this context basically a dependent phrase, rather than a sentence.  By putting it in parentheses, you've indicated that it is related the the material that precedes it, and as such, it isn't really complete until the thought it relates to is complete.  As such, it shouldn't be concluded by a period as in the example.

Rewording it as you chose presents it as a complete thought, independent of but relating to the complete thought that preceded it, so the periods are appropriate.