GNU Emacs Manual - Balanced Editing

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## Editing Without Unbalanced Parentheses

`M-(`
  Put parentheses around next sexp(s) (`insert-parentheses`).
`M-)`
  Move past next close parenthesis and reindent (`move-past-close-and-reindent`).

The commands `M-(` (`insert-parentheses`) and `M-)` (`move-past-close-and-reindent`) are designed to facilitate a style of editing which keeps parentheses balanced at all times. `M-(` inserts a pair of parentheses, either together as in ``()'`, or, if given an argument, around the next several sexps. It leaves point after the open parenthesis. The command `M-)` moves past the close parenthesis, deleting any indentation preceding it, and indenting with `C-j` after it.

For example, instead of typing `( F O O )`, you can type `M-( F O O`, which has the same effect except for leaving the cursor before the close parenthesis.

`M-(` may insert a space before the open parenthesis, depending on the syntax class of the preceding character. Set `parens-require-spaces` to `nil` value if you wish to inhibit this.

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