Which is the proper way to use (and mark) nested parentheses?

Question

I found some posts on whether it is acceptable to nest parentheses (e.g. here) but there is no discussion yet about which parentheses should be used when nesting, and how.
These are some alternative methods that one could adopt to spell the same sentence with nested parentheses. Which one do you think is right?

The nested and the nesting are in the same style

Example: Nested parentheses are ugly (as we saw in example (1), (2) and (3))

Like in maths: nesting in square brackets, nested in simple

Example: Nested parentheses are ugly [as we saw in example (1), (2) and (3)]

Internal parentheses need to go, and is substituted by some other sign

Example: Nested parentheses are ugly (as we saw in example -1-, -2- and -3-)

External parentheses need to go (nesting is illegal)

Example: Nested parentheses are ugly, as we saw in example (1), (2) and (3)
My feeling is that (4) is preferable when possible, then (3), then (1). Clearly (4) will not always be possible (syntax may demand parentheses), and also (3) could create problems (for instance, it may introduce a confusing inconsistency in how one refers to the numbered examples). I find (2) almost offensive for a text in natural language (rather than mathematical notation).
I often find myself forced to used nested parentheses, even if I hate them. Any advice on which form is more acceptable would be very welcome!

Robert · Accepted Answer

As already noted, it is a matter of opinion. I often come across this problem in my own writing, and usually try to avoid nesting by appropriate punctuation, most often by commas, sometimes colons, so I go with option (4). However, when writing concisely, it sometimes becomes unavoidable. In this case I allow myself to nest, as in option (1). For instance, consider
Nested parentheses are ugly (see Fig. 1(a)).
In this case, going with option 3 might be confusing for a reader, because figures are enumerated with letters in round brackets. Option (2) could be considered, but it is not consistent with other inclusions in the same text where a figure has no subfigures, for example: [see Fig. 1(a)] vs (see Fig. 2). If solution (4) cannot be adopted for some reason, I choose (1), never (2) or (3).
Terms, for which abbreviation needs to be introduced inside of parentheses, I usually separate from the abbreviation using en dash, e.g.,
nested parentheses (also known as ugly parentheses – UP),
instead of:
nested parentheses (also known as ugly parentheses (UP)).
However, in this case it is much easier to avoid nested parentheses than in case of figures' references.

Which is the proper way to use (and mark) nested parentheses?

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