diff --git a/java/ql/src/Language Abuse/UselessUpcast.ql b/java/ql/src/Language Abuse/UselessUpcast.ql
index 5c34d4d4cff..18584da159c 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Language Abuse/UselessUpcast.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Language Abuse/UselessUpcast.ql	
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import java
 predicate usefulUpcast(CastExpr e) {
   // Upcasts that may be performed to affect resolution of methods or constructors.
   exists(Call c, int i, Callable target |
-    c.getArgument(i).getProperExpr() = e and
+    c.getArgument(i) = e and
     target = c.getCallee() and
     // An upcast to the type of the corresponding parameter.
     e.getType() = target.getParameterType(i)
@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@ predicate usefulUpcast(CastExpr e) {
   )
   or
   // Upcasts of a varargs argument.
-  exists(Call c, int iArg, int iParam | c.getArgument(iArg).getProperExpr() = e |
+  exists(Call c, int iArg, int iParam | c.getArgument(iArg) = e |
     c.getCallee().getParameter(iParam).isVarargs() and iArg >= iParam
   )
   or
   // Upcasts that are performed on an operand of a ternary expression.
   exists(ConditionalExpr ce |
-    e = ce.getTrueExpr().getProperExpr() or e = ce.getFalseExpr().getProperExpr()
+    e = ce.getTrueExpr() or e = ce.getFalseExpr()
   )
   or
   // Upcasts to raw types.
@@ -46,12 +46,12 @@ predicate usefulUpcast(CastExpr e) {
   e.getType().(Array).getElementType() instanceof RawType
   or
   // Upcasts that are performed to affect field, private method, or static method resolution.
-  exists(FieldAccess fa | e = fa.getQualifier().getProperExpr() |
+  exists(FieldAccess fa | e = fa.getQualifier() |
     not e.getExpr().getType().(RefType).inherits(fa.getField())
   )
   or
   exists(MethodAccess ma, Method m |
-    e = ma.getQualifier().getProperExpr() and
+    e = ma.getQualifier() and
     m = ma.getMethod() and
     (m.isStatic() or m.isPrivate())
   |
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/BadCheckOdd.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/BadCheckOdd.ql
index ead6919f8be..70f34bcb077 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/BadCheckOdd.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/BadCheckOdd.ql	
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import java
 import semmle.code.java.Collections
 
 predicate isDefinitelyPositive(Expr e) {
-  isDefinitelyPositive(e.getProperExpr()) or
+  isDefinitelyPositive(e) or
   e.(IntegerLiteral).getIntValue() >= 0 or
   e.(MethodAccess).getMethod() instanceof CollectionSizeMethod or
   e.(MethodAccess).getMethod() instanceof StringLengthMethod or
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@ predicate isDefinitelyPositive(Expr e) {
 
 from BinaryExpr t, RemExpr lhs, IntegerLiteral rhs, string parity
 where
-  t.getLeftOperand().getProperExpr() = lhs and
-  t.getRightOperand().getProperExpr() = rhs and
+  t.getLeftOperand() = lhs and
+  t.getRightOperand() = rhs and
   not isDefinitelyPositive(lhs.getLeftOperand()) and
-  lhs.getRightOperand().getProperExpr().(IntegerLiteral).getIntValue() = 2 and
+  lhs.getRightOperand().(IntegerLiteral).getIntValue() = 2 and
   (
     t instanceof EQExpr and rhs.getIntValue() = 1 and parity = "oddness"
     or
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/ConstantExpAppearsNonConstant.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/ConstantExpAppearsNonConstant.ql
index fb55aeb7b2b..eb4e86e65c9 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/ConstantExpAppearsNonConstant.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/ConstantExpAppearsNonConstant.ql	
@@ -17,9 +17,6 @@ predicate isConstantExp(Expr e) {
   // A literal is constant.
   e instanceof Literal
   or
-  // A parenthesized expression is constant if its proper expression is.
-  isConstantExp(e.(ParExpr).getProperExpr())
-  or
   e instanceof TypeAccess
   or
   e instanceof ArrayTypeAccess
@@ -33,25 +30,25 @@ predicate isConstantExp(Expr e) {
   )
   or
   // A cast expression is constant if its expression is.
-  exists(CastExpr c | c = e | isConstantExp(c.getExpr().getProperExpr()))
+  exists(CastExpr c | c = e | isConstantExp(c.getExpr()))
   or
   // Multiplication by 0 is constant.
-  exists(MulExpr m | m = e | eval(m.getAnOperand().getProperExpr()) = 0)
+  exists(MulExpr m | m = e | eval(m.getAnOperand()) = 0)
   or
   // Integer remainder by 1 is constant.
   exists(RemExpr r | r = e |
     r.getLeftOperand().getType() instanceof IntegralType and
-    eval(r.getRightOperand().getProperExpr()) = 1
+    eval(r.getRightOperand()) = 1
   )
   or
-  exists(AndBitwiseExpr a | a = e | eval(a.getAnOperand().getProperExpr()) = 0)
+  exists(AndBitwiseExpr a | a = e | eval(a.getAnOperand()) = 0)
   or
   exists(AndLogicalExpr a | a = e |
-    a.getAnOperand().getProperExpr().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = false
+    a.getAnOperand().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = false
   )
   or
   exists(OrLogicalExpr o | o = e |
-    o.getAnOperand().getProperExpr().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = true
+    o.getAnOperand().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = true
   )
 }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/IntMultToLong.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/IntMultToLong.ql
index 9371e57b029..d6b7b97199e 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/IntMultToLong.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Arithmetic/IntMultToLong.ql	
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ float exprBound(Expr e) {
 /** A multiplication that does not overflow. */
 predicate small(MulExpr e) {
   exists(NumType t, float lhs, float rhs, float res | t = e.getType() |
-    lhs = exprBound(e.getLeftOperand().getProperExpr()) and
-    rhs = exprBound(e.getRightOperand().getProperExpr()) and
+    lhs = exprBound(e.getLeftOperand()) and
+    rhs = exprBound(e.getRightOperand()) and
     lhs * rhs = res and
     res <= t.getOrdPrimitiveType().getMaxValue()
   )
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ predicate small(MulExpr e) {
  */
 Expr getRestrictedParent(Expr e) {
   result = e.getParent() and
-  (result instanceof ArithExpr or result instanceof ConditionalExpr or result instanceof ParExpr)
+  (result instanceof ArithExpr or result instanceof ConditionalExpr)
 }
 
 from ConversionSite c, MulExpr e, NumType sourceType, NumType destType
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/DefineEqualsWhenAddingFields.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/DefineEqualsWhenAddingFields.ql
index c32095ccbb3..be186d2b2e2 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/DefineEqualsWhenAddingFields.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/DefineEqualsWhenAddingFields.ql	
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ predicate checksReferenceEquality(EqualsMethod em) {
     eq.getAnOperand().(VarAccess).getVariable() = em.getParameter(0) and
     (
       // `{ return (ojb==this); }`
-      eq = blk.getStmt().(ReturnStmt).getResult().getProperExpr()
+      eq = blk.getStmt().(ReturnStmt).getResult()
       or
       // `{ if (ojb==this) return true; else return false; }`
       exists(IfStmt ifStmt | ifStmt = blk.getStmt() |
-        eq = ifStmt.getCondition().getProperExpr() and
+        eq = ifStmt.getCondition() and
         ifStmt.getThen().(ReturnStmt).getResult().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = true and
         ifStmt.getElse().(ReturnStmt).getResult().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = false
       )
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/MissingInstanceofInEquals.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/MissingInstanceofInEquals.ql
index eb044e4ecb0..eacba3ad4ec 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/MissingInstanceofInEquals.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/MissingInstanceofInEquals.ql	
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class ReferenceEquals extends EqualsMethod {
     exists(Block b, ReturnStmt ret, EQExpr eq |
       this.getBody() = b and
       b.getStmt(0) = ret and
-      ret.getResult().getProperExpr() = eq and
+      ret.getResult() = eq and
       eq.getAnOperand() = this.getAParameter().getAnAccess() and
       (eq.getAnOperand() instanceof ThisAccess or eq.getAnOperand() instanceof FieldAccess)
     )
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/NoAssignInBooleanExprs.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/NoAssignInBooleanExprs.ql
index b04f8de49b5..600257d1c60 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/NoAssignInBooleanExprs.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/NoAssignInBooleanExprs.ql	
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class BooleanExpr extends Expr {
 }
 
 private predicate assignAndCheck(AssignExpr e) {
-  exists(BinaryExpr c | e = c.getAChildExpr().getProperExpr() |
+  exists(BinaryExpr c | e = c.getAChildExpr() |
     c instanceof ComparisonExpr or
     c instanceof EqualityTest
   )
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/StringComparison.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/StringComparison.ql
index 1bb67c04a67..4681feafc00 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/StringComparison.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/StringComparison.ql	
@@ -24,9 +24,6 @@ class StringValue extends Expr {
       this.(MethodAccess).getMethod() = intern
     )
     or
-    // Parenthesized expressions.
-    this.(ParExpr).getExpr().(StringValue).isInterned()
-    or
     // Ternary conditional operator.
     this.(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr().(StringValue).isInterned() and
     this.(ConditionalExpr).getFalseExpr().(StringValue).isInterned()
@@ -52,7 +49,7 @@ predicate variableValuesInterned(Variable v) {
   not v instanceof Parameter and
   // If the string is modified with `+=`, then the new string is not interned
   // even if the components are.
-  not exists(AssignOp append | append.getDest().getProperExpr() = v.getAnAccess())
+  not exists(AssignOp append | append.getDest() = v.getAnAccess())
 }
 
 from EqualityTest e, StringValue lhs, StringValue rhs
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/UselessComparisonTest.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/UselessComparisonTest.ql
index af37df936e0..964a5a6060a 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/UselessComparisonTest.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Comparison/UselessComparisonTest.ql	
@@ -127,8 +127,6 @@ Expr overFlowCand() {
   or
   exists(SsaExplicitUpdate x | result = x.getAUse() and x.getDefiningExpr() = overFlowCand())
   or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = overFlowCand()
-  or
   result.(AssignExpr).getRhs() = overFlowCand()
   or
   result.(LocalVariableDeclExpr).getInit() = overFlowCand()
@@ -165,8 +163,6 @@ Expr increaseOrDecreaseOfVar(SsaVariable v) {
     result = x.getAUse() and x.getDefiningExpr() = increaseOrDecreaseOfVar(v)
   )
   or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = increaseOrDecreaseOfVar(v)
-  or
   result.(AssignExpr).getRhs() = increaseOrDecreaseOfVar(v)
   or
   result.(LocalVariableDeclExpr).getInit() = increaseOrDecreaseOfVar(v)
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/DoubleCheckedLocking.qll b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/DoubleCheckedLocking.qll
index 63293099c5b..ac279049ed1 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/DoubleCheckedLocking.qll	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/DoubleCheckedLocking.qll	
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ private Expr getAFieldRead(Field f) {
     v.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource() = getAFieldRead(f)
   )
   or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = getAFieldRead(f)
-  or
   result.(AssignExpr).getSource() = getAFieldRead(f)
 }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/NonSynchronizedOverride.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/NonSynchronizedOverride.ql
index de7e5bc5f6c..b6518ba9bdb 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/NonSynchronizedOverride.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/NonSynchronizedOverride.ql	
@@ -27,8 +27,6 @@ predicate delegatingSuperCall(Expr e, Method target) {
   )
   or
   delegatingSuperCall(e.(CastExpr).getExpr(), target)
-  or
-  delegatingSuperCall(e.(ParExpr).getExpr(), target)
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/SynchSetUnsynchGet.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/SynchSetUnsynchGet.ql
index df620ca08d8..cbbc07f475c 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/SynchSetUnsynchGet.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Concurrency/SynchSetUnsynchGet.ql	
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import java
  */
 predicate isSynchronizedByBlock(Method m) {
   exists(SynchronizedStmt sync, Expr on |
-    sync = m.getBody().getAChild*() and on = sync.getExpr().getProperExpr()
+    sync = m.getBody().getAChild*() and on = sync.getExpr()
   |
     if m.isStatic()
     then on.(TypeLiteral).getTypeName().getType() = m.getDeclaringType()
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Likely Typos/ContradictoryTypeChecks.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Likely Typos/ContradictoryTypeChecks.ql
index 6a9fc9b7051..73cb99be0c3 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Likely Typos/ContradictoryTypeChecks.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Likely Typos/ContradictoryTypeChecks.ql	
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import semmle.code.java.dataflow.SSA
 
 /** `ioe` is of the form `va instanceof t`. */
 predicate instanceOfCheck(InstanceOfExpr ioe, VarAccess va, RefType t) {
-  ioe.getExpr().getProperExpr() = va and
+  ioe.getExpr() = va and
   ioe.getTypeName().getType().(RefType).getSourceDeclaration() = t
 }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Resource Leaks/CloseType.qll b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Resource Leaks/CloseType.qll
index c319f2568d6..16f8d6f8bcc 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Resource Leaks/CloseType.qll	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Resource Leaks/CloseType.qll	
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ import semmle.code.java.frameworks.Mockito
 private predicate flowsInto(Expr e, Variable v) {
   e = v.getAnAssignedValue()
   or
-  exists(ParExpr p | flowsInto(p, v) | e = p.getExpr())
-  or
   exists(CastExpr c | flowsInto(c, v) | e = c.getExpr())
   or
   exists(ConditionalExpr c | flowsInto(c, v) | e = c.getTrueExpr() or e = c.getFalseExpr())
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/Chaining.qll b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/Chaining.qll
index 315f0e32c09..1e1c7187e30 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/Chaining.qll	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/Chaining.qll	
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ private predicate nonChainingReturn(Method m, ReturnStmt ret) {
     or
     // A method on the wrong object is called.
     not (
-      delegateCall.getQualifier().getProperExpr() instanceof ThisAccess or
+      delegateCall.getQualifier() instanceof ThisAccess or
       not exists(delegateCall.getQualifier())
     )
     or
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/ReturnValueIgnored.ql b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/ReturnValueIgnored.ql
index 88d786a7159..d2c2c555ae2 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/ReturnValueIgnored.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Likely Bugs/Statements/ReturnValueIgnored.ql	
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ predicate relevantMethodCall(MethodAccess ma, Method m) {
   ma.getMethod() = m and
   not m.getReturnType().hasName("void") and
   (not isMockingMethod(m) or isMustBeQualifierMockingMethod(m)) and
-  not isMockingMethod(ma.getQualifier().getProperExpr().(MethodAccess).getMethod())
+  not isMockingMethod(ma.getQualifier().(MethodAccess).getMethod())
 }
 
 predicate methodStats(Method m, int used, int total, int percentage) {
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-190/ArithmeticCommon.qll b/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-190/ArithmeticCommon.qll
index c59c6376ae9..9d081e34420 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-190/ArithmeticCommon.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-190/ArithmeticCommon.qll
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ private import semmle.code.java.controlflow.internal.GuardsLogic
 predicate narrowerThanOrEqualTo(ArithExpr exp, NumType numType) {
   exp.getType().(NumType).widerThan(numType)
   implies
-  exists(CastExpr cast | cast.getAChildExpr().getProperExpr() = exp |
+  exists(CastExpr cast | cast.getAChildExpr() = exp |
     numType.widerThanOrEqualTo(cast.getType().(NumType))
   )
 }
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ private Guard sizeGuard(SsaVariable v, boolean branch, boolean upper) {
       positive(pos) and
       upper = true
     |
-      comp.getLesserOperand().getProperExpr() = add and
+      comp.getLesserOperand() = add and
       comp.getGreaterOperand().(IntegerLiteral).getIntValue() = 0 and
       branch = false
       or
-      comp.getGreaterOperand().getProperExpr() = add and
+      comp.getGreaterOperand() = add and
       comp.getLesserOperand().(IntegerLiteral).getIntValue() = 0 and
       branch = true
     )
@@ -157,7 +157,6 @@ predicate upcastToWiderType(Expr e) {
 /** Holds if the result of `exp` has certain bits filtered by a bitwise and. */
 private predicate inBitwiseAnd(Expr exp) {
   exists(AndBitwiseExpr a | a.getAnOperand() = exp) or
-  inBitwiseAnd(exp.(ParExpr).getExpr()) or
   inBitwiseAnd(exp.(LShiftExpr).getAnOperand()) or
   inBitwiseAnd(exp.(RShiftExpr).getAnOperand()) or
   inBitwiseAnd(exp.(URShiftExpr).getAnOperand())
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-681/NumericCastCommon.qll b/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-681/NumericCastCommon.qll
index e66e71ebd9f..4887c3fefad 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-681/NumericCastCommon.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-681/NumericCastCommon.qll
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class RightShiftOp extends Expr {
 
   Variable getShiftedVariable() {
     getLhs() = result.getAnAccess() or
-    getLhs().getProperExpr().(AndBitwiseExpr).getAnOperand() = result.getAnAccess()
+    getLhs().(AndBitwiseExpr).getAnOperand() = result.getAnAccess()
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-835/InfiniteLoop.ql b/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-835/InfiniteLoop.ql
index 728d2b17930..cc02dfb3f09 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-835/InfiniteLoop.ql
+++ b/java/ql/src/Security/CWE/CWE-835/InfiniteLoop.ql
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ predicate subCondition(Expr cond, Expr subcond, boolean negated) {
   or
   subCondition(cond.(OrLogicalExpr).getAnOperand(), subcond, negated)
   or
-  subCondition(cond.(ParExpr).getExpr(), subcond, negated)
-  or
   subCondition(cond.(LogNotExpr).getExpr(), subcond, negated.booleanNot())
 }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Boolean Logic/SimplifyBoolExpr.ql b/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Boolean Logic/SimplifyBoolExpr.ql
index db8fc26614e..178f5dbd847 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Boolean Logic/SimplifyBoolExpr.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Boolean Logic/SimplifyBoolExpr.ql	
@@ -84,9 +84,9 @@ where
   or
   conditionalWithBool(e, pattern, rewrite)
   or
-  e.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().getProperExpr().(ComparisonOrEquality).negate(pattern, rewrite)
+  e.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().(ComparisonOrEquality).negate(pattern, rewrite)
   or
-  e.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().getProperExpr() instanceof LogNotExpr and
+  e.(LogNotExpr).getExpr() instanceof LogNotExpr and
   pattern = "!!A" and
   rewrite = "A"
 select e, "Expressions of the form \"" + pattern + "\" can be simplified to \"" + rewrite + "\"."
diff --git a/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Naming Conventions/ConfusingOverloading.ql b/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Naming Conventions/ConfusingOverloading.ql
index 07c071ad2d4..1d8509c6e03 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Naming Conventions/ConfusingOverloading.ql	
+++ b/java/ql/src/Violations of Best Practice/Naming Conventions/ConfusingOverloading.ql	
@@ -84,7 +84,6 @@ private predicate confusinglyOverloaded(Method m, Method n) {
 
 private predicate wrappedAccess(Expr e, MethodAccess ma) {
   e = ma or
-  wrappedAccess(e.(ParExpr).getExpr(), ma) or
   wrappedAccess(e.(CastExpr).getExpr(), ma)
 }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Concurrency.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Concurrency.qll
index 29202c8cc40..61e76525ec8 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Concurrency.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Concurrency.qll
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@ predicate locallySynchronizedOn(Expr e, SynchronizedStmt sync, Variable v) {
  */
 predicate locallySynchronizedOnThis(Expr e, RefType thisType) {
   exists(SynchronizedStmt sync | e.getEnclosingStmt().getEnclosingStmt+() = sync |
-    sync.getExpr().getProperExpr().(ThisAccess).getType().(RefType).getSourceDeclaration() =
-      thisType
+    sync.getExpr().(ThisAccess).getType().(RefType).getSourceDeclaration() = thisType
   )
   or
   exists(SynchronizedCallable c | c = e.getEnclosingCallable() |
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/ControlFlowGraph.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/ControlFlowGraph.qll
index 9c7cc976d46..13e6524352a 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/ControlFlowGraph.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/ControlFlowGraph.qll
@@ -289,8 +289,6 @@ private module ControlFlowGraphImpl {
       logexpr.(UnaryExpr).getExpr() = b and inBooleanContext(logexpr)
     )
     or
-    exists(ParExpr parexpr | parexpr.getExpr() = b and inBooleanContext(parexpr))
-    or
     exists(ConditionalExpr condexpr |
       condexpr.getCondition() = b
       or
@@ -574,8 +572,6 @@ private module ControlFlowGraphImpl {
     or
     result = first(n.(PostOrderNode).firstChild())
     or
-    result = first(n.(ParExpr).getExpr())
-    or
     result = first(n.(SynchronizedStmt).getExpr())
     or
     result = n and
@@ -708,9 +704,6 @@ private module ControlFlowGraphImpl {
       last(condexpr.getTrueExpr(), last, completion)
     )
     or
-    // Parentheses are skipped in the CFG.
-    last(n.(ParExpr).getExpr(), last, completion)
-    or
     // The last node of a node executed in post-order is the node itself.
     n.(PostOrderNode).mayCompleteNormally() and last = n and completion = NormalCompletion()
     or
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Conversions.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Conversions.qll
index 460b2c24ff2..9d55f1297fc 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Conversions.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Conversions.qll
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class AssignmentConversionContext extends ConversionSite {
   AssignmentConversionContext() {
     this = v.getAnAssignedValue()
     or
-    exists(Assignment a | a.getDest().getProperExpr() = v.getAnAccess() and this = a.getSource())
+    exists(Assignment a | a.getDest() = v.getAnAccess() and this = a.getSource())
   }
 
   override Type getConversionTarget() { result = v.getType() }
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Expr.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Expr.qll
index 51312dd1dc5..08f869c01f2 100755
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Expr.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Expr.qll
@@ -46,8 +46,12 @@ class Expr extends ExprParent, @expr {
    */
   int getKind() { exprs(this, result, _, _, _) }
 
-  /** Gets this expression with any surrounding parentheses removed. */
-  Expr getProperExpr() {
+  /**
+   * DEPRECATED: This is no longer necessary. See `Expr.isParenthesized()`.
+   *
+   * Gets this expression with any surrounding parentheses removed.
+   */
+  deprecated Expr getProperExpr() {
     result = this.(ParExpr).getExpr().getProperExpr()
     or
     result = this and not this instanceof ParExpr
@@ -152,9 +156,6 @@ class CompileTimeConstantExpr extends Expr {
         e.getFalseExpr().isCompileTimeConstant()
       )
       or
-      // Parenthesized expressions whose contained expression is a constant expression.
-      this.(ParExpr).getExpr().isCompileTimeConstant()
-      or
       // Access to a final variable initialized by a compile-time constant.
       exists(Variable v | this = v.getAnAccess() |
         v.isFinal() and
@@ -169,8 +170,6 @@ class CompileTimeConstantExpr extends Expr {
   string getStringValue() {
     result = this.(StringLiteral).getRepresentedString()
     or
-    result = this.(ParExpr).getExpr().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getStringValue()
-    or
     result =
       this.(AddExpr).getLeftOperand().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getStringValue() +
         this.(AddExpr).getRightOperand().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getStringValue()
@@ -296,9 +295,6 @@ class CompileTimeConstantExpr extends Expr {
       else result = ce.getFalseExpr().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getBooleanValue()
     )
     or
-    // Parenthesized expressions containing a boolean value.
-    result = this.(ParExpr).getExpr().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getBooleanValue()
-    or
     // Simple or qualified names where the variable is final and the initializer is a constant.
     exists(Variable v | this = v.getAnAccess() |
       result = v.getInitializer().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getBooleanValue()
@@ -385,8 +381,6 @@ class CompileTimeConstantExpr extends Expr {
         else result = ce.getFalseExpr().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getIntValue()
       )
       or
-      result = this.(ParExpr).getExpr().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getIntValue()
-      or
       // If a `Variable` is a `CompileTimeConstantExpr`, its value is its initializer.
       exists(Variable v | this = v.getAnAccess() |
         result = v.getInitializer().(CompileTimeConstantExpr).getIntValue()
@@ -640,12 +634,8 @@ class BinaryExpr extends Expr, @binaryexpr {
   /** Gets the operand on the right-hand side of this binary expression. */
   Expr getRightOperand() { result.isNthChildOf(this, 1) }
 
-  /** Gets an operand (left or right), with any parentheses removed. */
-  Expr getAnOperand() {
-    exists(Expr r | r = this.getLeftOperand() or r = this.getRightOperand() |
-      result = r.getProperExpr()
-    )
-  }
+  /** Gets an operand (left or right). */
+  Expr getAnOperand() { result = this.getLeftOperand() or result = this.getRightOperand() }
 
   /** The operands of this binary expression are `e` and `f`, in either order. */
   predicate hasOperands(Expr e, Expr f) {
@@ -761,17 +751,14 @@ class NEExpr extends BinaryExpr, @neexpr {
  * A bitwise expression.
  *
  * This includes expressions involving the operators
- * `&`, `|`, `^`, or `~`,
- * possibly parenthesized.
+ * `&`, `|`, `^`, or `~`.
  */
 class BitwiseExpr extends Expr {
   BitwiseExpr() {
-    exists(Expr proper | proper = this.getProperExpr() |
-      proper instanceof AndBitwiseExpr or
-      proper instanceof OrBitwiseExpr or
-      proper instanceof XorBitwiseExpr or
-      proper instanceof BitNotExpr
-    )
+    this instanceof AndBitwiseExpr or
+    this instanceof OrBitwiseExpr or
+    this instanceof XorBitwiseExpr or
+    this instanceof BitNotExpr
   }
 }
 
@@ -1128,10 +1115,14 @@ class SwitchExpr extends Expr, @switchexpr {
   override string toString() { result = "switch (...)" }
 }
 
-/** A parenthesised expression. */
-class ParExpr extends Expr, @parexpr {
+/**
+ * DEPRECATED: Use `Expr.isParenthesized()` instead.
+ *
+ * A parenthesised expression.
+ */
+deprecated class ParExpr extends Expr, @parexpr {
   /** Gets the expression inside the parentheses. */
-  Expr getExpr() { result.getParent() = this }
+  deprecated Expr getExpr() { result.getParent() = this }
 
   /** Gets a printable representation of this expression. */
   override string toString() { result = "(...)" }
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Reflection.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Reflection.qll
index 0c6432e2409..3b0189e17ae 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Reflection.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Reflection.qll
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ class NewInstance extends MethodAccess {
    * cast.
    */
   private Type getCastInferredConstructedTypes() {
-    exists(CastExpr cast | cast.getExpr() = this or cast.getExpr().(ParExpr).getExpr() = this |
+    exists(CastExpr cast | cast.getExpr() = this |
       result = cast.getType()
       or
       // If we cast the result of this method, then this is either the type specified, or a
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/StringFormat.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/StringFormat.qll
index 075471d73ca..410d83818cc 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/StringFormat.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/StringFormat.qll
@@ -246,8 +246,7 @@ private predicate formatStringFragment(Expr fmt) {
     e.(AddExpr).getLeftOperand() = fmt or
     e.(AddExpr).getRightOperand() = fmt or
     e.(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr() = fmt or
-    e.(ConditionalExpr).getFalseExpr() = fmt or
-    e.(ParExpr).getExpr() = fmt
+    e.(ConditionalExpr).getFalseExpr() = fmt
   )
 }
 
@@ -268,8 +267,6 @@ private predicate formatStringValue(Expr e, string fmtvalue) {
     or
     e.getType() instanceof EnumType and fmtvalue = "x" // dummy value
     or
-    formatStringValue(e.(ParExpr).getExpr(), fmtvalue)
-    or
     exists(Variable v |
       e = v.getAnAccess() and
       v.isFinal() and
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Variable.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Variable.qll
index 9a281786ac4..d63bcc6fe1c 100755
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Variable.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/Variable.qll
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class Variable extends @variable, Annotatable, Element, Modifiable {
     exists(LocalVariableDeclExpr e | e.getVariable() = this and result = e.getInit())
     or
     exists(AssignExpr e |
-      e.getDest().getProperExpr() = this.getAnAccess() and result = e.getSource()
+      e.getDest() = this.getAnAccess() and result = e.getSource()
     )
   }
 
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/comparison/Comparison.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/comparison/Comparison.qll
index 8a869d8a2e4..27ed9271e99 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/comparison/Comparison.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/comparison/Comparison.qll
@@ -6,10 +6,6 @@ import java
  * Used as basis for the transitive closure in `exprImplies`.
  */
 private predicate exprImpliesStep(Expr e1, boolean b1, Expr e2, boolean b2) {
-  e1.(ParExpr).getProperExpr() = e2 and
-  b2 = b1 and
-  (b1 = true or b1 = false)
-  or
   e1.(LogNotExpr).getExpr() = e2 and
   b2 = b1.booleanNot() and
   (b1 = true or b1 = false)
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/Guards.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/Guards.qll
index c382e7963cc..82cb1d997ae 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/Guards.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/Guards.qll
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ class Guard extends ExprParent {
    */
   BasicBlock getBasicBlock() {
     result = this.(Expr).getBasicBlock() or
-    result = this.(SwitchCase).getSwitch().getExpr().getProperExpr().getBasicBlock() or
-    result = this.(SwitchCase).getSwitchExpr().getExpr().getProperExpr().getBasicBlock()
+    result = this.(SwitchCase).getSwitch().getExpr().getBasicBlock() or
+    result = this.(SwitchCase).getSwitchExpr().getExpr().getBasicBlock()
   }
 
   /**
@@ -115,9 +115,9 @@ class Guard extends ExprParent {
    */
   predicate isEquality(Expr e1, Expr e2, boolean polarity) {
     exists(Expr exp1, Expr exp2 | equalityGuard(this, exp1, exp2, polarity) |
-      e1 = exp1.getProperExpr() and e2 = exp2.getProperExpr()
+      e1 = exp1 and e2 = exp2
       or
-      e2 = exp1.getProperExpr() and e1 = exp2.getProperExpr()
+      e2 = exp1 and e1 = exp2
     )
   }
 
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ private predicate equalityGuard(Guard g, Expr e1, Expr e2, boolean polarity) {
   exists(ConstCase cc |
     cc = g and
     polarity = true and
-    cc.getSelectorExpr().getProperExpr() = e1 and
+    cc.getSelectorExpr() = e1 and
     cc.getValue() = e2 and
     strictcount(cc.getValue(_)) = 1
   )
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/UnreachableBlocks.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/UnreachableBlocks.qll
index c7be6d2494d..5ce27fda434 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/UnreachableBlocks.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/UnreachableBlocks.qll
@@ -93,8 +93,6 @@ class ConstantExpr extends Expr {
       // A binary expression where both sides are constant
       this.(BinaryExpr).getLeftOperand() instanceof ConstantExpr and
       this.(BinaryExpr).getRightOperand() instanceof ConstantExpr
-      or
-      this.(ParExpr).getExpr() instanceof ConstantExpr
     )
   }
 
@@ -108,8 +106,6 @@ class ConstantExpr extends Expr {
     or
     result = this.(FieldRead).getField().(ConstantField).getConstantValue().getBooleanValue()
     or
-    result = this.(ParExpr).getExpr().(ConstantExpr).getBooleanValue()
-    or
     // Handle binary expressions that have integer operands and a boolean result.
     exists(BinaryExpr b, int left, int right |
       b = this and
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/GuardsLogic.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/GuardsLogic.qll
index 6fd8d08a658..ba2fd8c01c0 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/GuardsLogic.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/GuardsLogic.qll
@@ -19,10 +19,6 @@ private import semmle.code.java.dataflow.IntegerGuards
  * Restricted to BaseSSA-based reasoning.
  */
 predicate implies_v1(Guard g1, boolean b1, Guard g2, boolean b2) {
-  g1.(ParExpr).getExpr() = g2 and
-  b1 = b2 and
-  (b1 = true or b1 = false)
-  or
   g1.(AndBitwiseExpr).getAnOperand() = g2 and b1 = true and b2 = true
   or
   g1.(OrBitwiseExpr).getAnOperand() = g2 and b1 = false and b2 = false
@@ -220,13 +216,11 @@ private predicate hasPossibleUnknownValue(SsaVariable v) {
  * `ConditionalExpr`s. Parentheses are also removed.
  */
 private Expr possibleValue(Expr e) {
-  result = possibleValue(e.(ParExpr).getExpr())
-  or
   result = possibleValue(e.(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr())
   or
   result = possibleValue(e.(ConditionalExpr).getFalseExpr())
   or
-  result = e and not e instanceof ParExpr and not e instanceof ConditionalExpr
+  result = e and not e instanceof ConditionalExpr
 }
 
 /**
@@ -253,7 +247,7 @@ private predicate possibleValue(SsaVariable v, boolean fromBackEdge, Expr e, Abs
   not hasPossibleUnknownValue(v) and
   exists(SsaExplicitUpdate def |
     def = getADefinition(v, fromBackEdge) and
-    e = possibleValue(def.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource().getProperExpr()) and
+    e = possibleValue(def.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource()) and
     k.getExpr() = e
   )
 }
@@ -305,7 +299,7 @@ private predicate guardControlsPhiBranch(
   SsaExplicitUpdate upd, SsaPhiNode phi, Guard guard, boolean branch, Expr e
 ) {
   guard.directlyControls(upd.getBasicBlock(), branch) and
-  upd.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource().getProperExpr() = e and
+  upd.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource() = e and
   upd = phi.getAPhiInput() and
   guard.getBasicBlock().bbStrictlyDominates(phi.getBasicBlock())
 }
@@ -319,12 +313,12 @@ private predicate guardControlsPhiBranch(
  */
 private predicate conditionalAssign(SsaVariable v, Guard guard, boolean branch, Expr e) {
   exists(ConditionalExpr c |
-    v.(SsaExplicitUpdate).getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource().getProperExpr() = c and
-    guard = c.getCondition().getProperExpr()
+    v.(SsaExplicitUpdate).getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource() = c and
+    guard = c.getCondition()
   |
-    branch = true and e = c.getTrueExpr().getProperExpr()
+    branch = true and e = c.getTrueExpr()
     or
-    branch = false and e = c.getFalseExpr().getProperExpr()
+    branch = false and e = c.getFalseExpr()
   )
   or
   exists(SsaExplicitUpdate upd, SsaPhiNode phi |
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/Preconditions.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/Preconditions.qll
index 9f7fbc14aa4..0fd367d65b4 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/Preconditions.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/controlflow/internal/Preconditions.qll
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ predicate conditionCheckMethod(Method m, boolean checkTrue) {
     not m.isOverridable() and
     p.getType() instanceof BooleanType and
     m.getBody().getStmt(0) = ifstmt and
-    ifstmt.getCondition().getProperExpr() = cond and
+    ifstmt.getCondition() = cond and
     (
-      cond.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().getProperExpr().(VarAccess).getVariable() = p and checkTrue = true
+      cond.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().(VarAccess).getVariable() = p and checkTrue = true
       or
       cond.(VarAccess).getVariable() = p and checkTrue = false
     ) and
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@ predicate conditionCheckMethod(Method m, boolean checkTrue) {
     not m.isOverridable() and
     m.getBody().getStmt(0).(ExprStmt).getExpr() = ma and
     conditionCheck(ma, ct) and
-    ma.getArgument(0).getProperExpr() = arg and
+    ma.getArgument(0) = arg and
     (
-      arg.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().getProperExpr().(VarAccess).getVariable() = p and
+      arg.(LogNotExpr).getExpr().(VarAccess).getVariable() = p and
       checkTrue = ct.booleanNot()
       or
       arg.(VarAccess).getVariable() = p and checkTrue = ct
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/IntegerGuards.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/IntegerGuards.qll
index 5fb592272fb..29e2b3ec8a1 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/IntegerGuards.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/IntegerGuards.qll
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ private import RangeAnalysis
 /** Gets an expression that might have the value `i`. */
 private Expr exprWithIntValue(int i) {
   result.(ConstantIntegerExpr).getIntValue() = i or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = exprWithIntValue(i) or
   result.(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr() = exprWithIntValue(i) or
   result.(ConditionalExpr).getFalseExpr() = exprWithIntValue(i)
 }
@@ -142,25 +141,25 @@ Expr intBoundGuard(RValue x, boolean branch_with_lower_bound_k, int k) {
     x.getVariable().getType() instanceof IntegralType
   |
     // c < x
-    comp.getLesserOperand().getProperExpr() = c and
+    comp.getLesserOperand() = c and
     comp.isStrict() and
     branch_with_lower_bound_k = true and
     val + 1 = k
     or
     // c <= x
-    comp.getLesserOperand().getProperExpr() = c and
+    comp.getLesserOperand() = c and
     not comp.isStrict() and
     branch_with_lower_bound_k = true and
     val = k
     or
     // x < c
-    comp.getGreaterOperand().getProperExpr() = c and
+    comp.getGreaterOperand() = c and
     comp.isStrict() and
     branch_with_lower_bound_k = false and
     val = k
     or
     // x <= c
-    comp.getGreaterOperand().getProperExpr() = c and
+    comp.getGreaterOperand() = c and
     not comp.isStrict() and
     branch_with_lower_bound_k = false and
     val + 1 = k
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/ModulusAnalysis.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/ModulusAnalysis.qll
index 876c746d7c0..1fb3eb201a8 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/ModulusAnalysis.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/ModulusAnalysis.qll
@@ -76,8 +76,6 @@ private Expr modExpr(Expr arg, int mod) {
     c.getIntValue() = mod - 1 and
     result.(AndBitwiseExpr).hasOperands(arg, c)
   )
-  or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = modExpr(arg, mod)
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/NullGuards.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/NullGuards.qll
index b30c6f70f18..e4e7ec33e2c 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/NullGuards.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/NullGuards.qll
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ private import IntegerGuards
 /** Gets an expression that is always `null`. */
 Expr alwaysNullExpr() {
   result instanceof NullLiteral or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = alwaysNullExpr() or
   result.(CastExpr).getExpr() = alwaysNullExpr()
 }
 
@@ -60,8 +59,6 @@ Expr clearlyNotNullExpr(Expr reason) {
     reason = result
   )
   or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = clearlyNotNullExpr(reason)
-  or
   result.(CastExpr).getExpr() = clearlyNotNullExpr(reason)
   or
   result.(AssignExpr).getSource() = clearlyNotNullExpr(reason)
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/Nullness.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/Nullness.qll
index c3faeaf0ff2..644790bea6b 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/Nullness.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/Nullness.qll
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ private import semmle.code.java.frameworks.Assertions
 /** Gets an expression that may be `null`. */
 Expr nullExpr() {
   result instanceof NullLiteral or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = nullExpr() or
   result.(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr() = nullExpr() or
   result.(ConditionalExpr).getFalseExpr() = nullExpr() or
   result.(AssignExpr).getSource() = nullExpr() or
@@ -131,11 +130,8 @@ predicate dereference(Expr e) {
  * The `VarAccess` is included for nicer error reporting.
  */
 private ControlFlowNode varDereference(SsaVariable v, VarAccess va) {
-  exists(Expr e |
-    dereference(e) and
-    e = sameValue(v, va) and
-    result = e.getProperExpr()
-  )
+  dereference(result) and
+  result = sameValue(v, va)
 }
 
 /**
@@ -442,8 +438,8 @@ private predicate nullDerefCandidate(SsaVariable origin, VarAccess va) {
 /** A variable that is assigned `null` if the given condition takes the given branch. */
 private predicate varConditionallyNull(SsaExplicitUpdate v, ConditionBlock cond, boolean branch) {
   exists(ConditionalExpr condexpr |
-    v.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource().getProperExpr() = condexpr and
-    condexpr.getCondition().getProperExpr() = cond.getCondition()
+    v.getDefiningExpr().(VariableAssign).getSource() = condexpr and
+    condexpr.getCondition() = cond.getCondition()
   |
     condexpr.getTrueExpr() = nullExpr() and
     branch = true and
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeAnalysis.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeAnalysis.qll
index e6b2e22d83c..435b976fde2 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeAnalysis.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeAnalysis.qll
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ private predicate boundCondition(
   or
   exists(SubExpr sub, ConstantIntegerExpr c, int d |
     // (v - d) - e < c
-    comp.getLesserOperand().getProperExpr() = sub and
+    comp.getLesserOperand() = sub and
     comp.getGreaterOperand() = c and
     sub.getLeftOperand() = ssaRead(v, d) and
     sub.getRightOperand() = e and
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ private predicate boundCondition(
     delta = d + c.getIntValue()
     or
     // (v - d) - e > c
-    comp.getGreaterOperand().getProperExpr() = sub and
+    comp.getGreaterOperand() = sub and
     comp.getLesserOperand() = c and
     sub.getLeftOperand() = ssaRead(v, d) and
     sub.getRightOperand() = e and
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ private predicate boundCondition(
     delta = d + c.getIntValue()
     or
     // e - (v - d) < c
-    comp.getLesserOperand().getProperExpr() = sub and
+    comp.getLesserOperand() = sub and
     comp.getGreaterOperand() = c and
     sub.getLeftOperand() = e and
     sub.getRightOperand() = ssaRead(v, d) and
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ private predicate boundCondition(
     delta = d - c.getIntValue()
     or
     // e - (v - d) > c
-    comp.getGreaterOperand().getProperExpr() = sub and
+    comp.getGreaterOperand() = sub and
     comp.getLesserOperand() = c and
     sub.getLeftOperand() = e and
     sub.getRightOperand() = ssaRead(v, d) and
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeUtils.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeUtils.qll
index 08d46f6bb80..22e363d9e3c 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeUtils.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/RangeUtils.qll
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ private predicate nonNullSsaFwdStep(SsaVariable v, SsaVariable phi) {
 }
 
 private predicate nonNullDefStep(Expr e1, Expr e2) {
-  e2.(ParExpr).getExpr() = e1
-  or
   exists(ConditionalExpr cond | cond = e2 |
     cond.getTrueExpr() = e1 and cond.getFalseExpr() instanceof NullLiteral
     or
@@ -104,8 +102,6 @@ class ConstantIntegerExpr extends Expr {
 Expr ssaRead(SsaVariable v, int delta) {
   result = v.getAUse() and delta = 0
   or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = ssaRead(v, delta)
-  or
   exists(int d1, ConstantIntegerExpr c |
     result.(AddExpr).hasOperands(ssaRead(v, d1), c) and
     delta = d1 - c.getIntValue()
@@ -264,8 +260,6 @@ predicate ssaUpdateStep(SsaExplicitUpdate v, Expr e, int delta) {
  * Holds if `e1 + delta` equals `e2`.
  */
 predicate valueFlowStep(Expr e2, Expr e1, int delta) {
-  e2.(ParExpr).getExpr() = e1 and delta = 0
-  or
   e2.(AssignExpr).getSource() = e1 and delta = 0
   or
   e2.(PlusExpr).getExpr() = e1 and delta = 0
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SSA.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SSA.qll
index ee397dd478f..561fdb35c5e 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SSA.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SSA.qll
@@ -1129,7 +1129,5 @@ Expr sameValue(SsaVariable v, VarAccess va) {
   or
   result.(AssignExpr).getSource() = sameValue(v, va)
   or
-  result.(ParExpr).getExpr() = sameValue(v, va)
-  or
   result.(RefTypeCastExpr).getExpr() = sameValue(v, va)
 }
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SignAnalysis.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SignAnalysis.qll
index 7e9a22dbb85..60758069232 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SignAnalysis.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/SignAnalysis.qll
@@ -476,8 +476,6 @@ private Sign exprSign(Expr e) {
   (
     unknownSign(e)
     or
-    result = exprSign(e.(ParExpr).getExpr())
-    or
     exists(SsaVariable v | v.getAUse() = e |
       result = ssaSign(v, any(SsaReadPositionBlock bb | bb.getBlock() = e.getBasicBlock()))
       or
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/TypeFlow.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/TypeFlow.qll
index ec3d14b8159..e9f32aadbbe 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/TypeFlow.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/TypeFlow.qll
@@ -109,8 +109,6 @@ private predicate step(TypeFlowNode n1, TypeFlowNode n2) {
   or
   n2.asExpr() = n1.asSsa().getAUse()
   or
-  n2.asExpr().(ParExpr).getExpr() = n1.asExpr()
-  or
   n2.asExpr().(CastExpr).getExpr() = n1.asExpr() and
   not n2.asExpr().getType() instanceof PrimitiveType
   or
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll
index ffa1a86f688..889e0c0c8a6 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dataflow/internal/DataFlowUtil.qll
@@ -390,8 +390,6 @@ predicate simpleLocalFlowStep(Node node1, Node node2) {
   or
   ThisFlow::adjacentThisRefs(node1.(PostUpdateNode).getPreUpdateNode(), node2)
   or
-  node2.asExpr().(ParExpr).getExpr() = node1.asExpr()
-  or
   node2.asExpr().(CastExpr).getExpr() = node1.asExpr()
   or
   node2.asExpr().(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr() = node1.asExpr()
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/deadcode/DeadEnumConstant.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/deadcode/DeadEnumConstant.qll
index 1c19a9e20cf..c29b167d31e 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/deadcode/DeadEnumConstant.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/deadcode/DeadEnumConstant.qll
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ Expr valueFlow(Expr src) {
     src = c.getTrueExpr() or
     src = c.getFalseExpr()
   )
-  or
-  src = result.(ParExpr).getExpr()
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/DispatchFlow.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/DispatchFlow.qll
index 4194a4cd97c..0b2b871e129 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/DispatchFlow.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/DispatchFlow.qll
@@ -192,8 +192,6 @@ private predicate flowStep(RelevantNode n1, RelevantNode n2) {
     n2.asExpr().(MethodAccess).getMethod() = getValue
   )
   or
-  n2.asExpr().(ParExpr).getExpr() = n1.asExpr()
-  or
   n2.asExpr().(CastExpr).getExpr() = n1.asExpr()
   or
   n2.asExpr().(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr() = n1.asExpr()
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/ObjFlow.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/ObjFlow.qll
index c0740a43364..4d97bfdc3cc 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/ObjFlow.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/dispatch/ObjFlow.qll
@@ -98,8 +98,6 @@ private predicate step(Node n1, Node n2) {
     n2.asExpr().(FieldRead).getField() = f
   )
   or
-  n2.asExpr().(ParExpr).getExpr() = n1.asExpr()
-  or
   n2.asExpr().(CastExpr).getExpr() = n1.asExpr()
   or
   n2.asExpr().(ConditionalExpr).getTrueExpr() = n1.asExpr()
diff --git a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/frameworks/Assertions.qll b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/frameworks/Assertions.qll
index eb210d5e0d7..810af5ca41e 100644
--- a/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/frameworks/Assertions.qll
+++ b/java/ql/src/semmle/code/java/frameworks/Assertions.qll
@@ -109,6 +109,6 @@ predicate assertFail(BasicBlock bb, ControlFlowNode n) {
       n = m.getACheck(any(BooleanLiteral b | b.getBooleanValue() = true))
     ) or
     exists(AssertFailMethod m | n = m.getACheck()) or
-    n.(AssertStmt).getExpr().getProperExpr().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = false
+    n.(AssertStmt).getExpr().(BooleanLiteral).getBooleanValue() = false
   )
 }
diff --git a/java/ql/test/library-tests/guards/guardslogic.ql b/java/ql/test/library-tests/guards/guardslogic.ql
index 516a8670473..afbb313d664 100644
--- a/java/ql/test/library-tests/guards/guardslogic.ql
+++ b/java/ql/test/library-tests/guards/guardslogic.ql
@@ -4,6 +4,5 @@ import semmle.code.java.controlflow.Guards
 from Guard g, BasicBlock bb, boolean branch
 where
   g.controls(bb, branch) and
-  not g instanceof ParExpr and
   g.getEnclosingCallable().getDeclaringType().hasName("Logic")
 select g, branch, bb