You can and should. A large function in algebra (including basic mathematics) is in making a long problem easier to understand. The problem you wrote could also be written 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 2, but writing it as 5 x 12 + 2... or (5 x 12) + 2... makes it understandable at first glance. This is all that is meant by the common math problem "Simplify this equation."

Agreeing on a convention to write math problems a certain way just removes ambiguity and makes it possible for any person familiar with the relatively simple Order of Operations rule to understand any other problem written by someone. My biggest problem with the order of operations "riddles" that swarm Facebook from time to time is that they'll intentionally write them in a confusing way in order to trick people. It's the same as posting a scribbled rough draft of a paragraph and then making fun of people who misinterpret it.