## Can You Use Parentheses in CSS Selectors to Increase Specificity?

Can Parentheses Enhance CSS Selector Specificity?

In CSS, creating rules that precisely target specific elements is crucial. However, concerns arise about the validity of using parentheses within CSS selectors.

Are Parentheses Valid in CSS Selectors?

The answer is a resounding "no." Parentheses hold no place as valid operators within CSS selectors. Instead, they are exclusively reserved for functional notations like :lang(), :not(), and :nth-child().

An Alternative Approach

Fortunately, achieving the desired result without parentheses is entirely possible. The following selector will suffice:

.gumby > .pokey + h3

Understanding the Linear Interpretation

CSS selectors follow a linear interpretation, devoid of any precedence for combinators. This implies that the selector should be read as:

Select an h3 element that immediately follows an element with class pokey that is a child of an element with class gumby.

Node Tree Implications

Due to the nature of node trees, the combination of sibling and child combinators establishes an inherent relationship between the involved elements. In this instance, both .pokey and the h3 are direct children of .gumby, as the example code demonstrates.

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