You may find it easy to use the word “et cetera”, which can be translated as “and others” or “and other things”, and is shortened to “etc.” Of course everyone knows how to use “etc.” in English correctly, right? Yes, but actually using the word “et cetera” isn't that easy-it's often misspelled, not punctuated properly, and even spelled incorrectly! The use of "et cetera" is not always taught in schools because it is considered only as an abbreviation. However, it is important for us to know how to use it properly. See Step 1 to get started.
Step
Step 1. Use “et cetera” if you mean “and so on” or “other things in the same category”
“Et cetera” is used as a shorthand way of saying “and so on”, “and so on”, or “and so on”, and also to describe a list without listing them all. However, make sure that everything on the list is in the same category so that “etc.” not confuse the readers.
- For example, you could say, "We could use cupcakes, cookies, etc." (“We can eat cupcakes, biscuits, etc.”) This shows that they can use any type of dessert, and could be rewritten to, "We could use cupcakes, cookies, and so on." (“We can use cupcakes, biscuits, etc.”)
- But you can't say, "Bring hamburger buns, paper plates, cupcakes, etc." ("Bring me hamburger buns, paper plates, cupcakes, etc."), because the items on the list don't belong to the same category, and the person you're talking to won't understand what you mean.
- Things in this same category do not have to be concrete objects, but can also be emotions or other kinds of “things.” For example, you might say, "Please write down your three primary emotions today (sadness, anger, fear, etc.)"
Step 2. Do not use introductory words for a list, such as “such as” or “for example” along with “etc.” You can't say "Bring items such as cake, chocolates, ice cream, etc. to the party," because "such as" (“like”) already implies that the list you have provided is incomplete. You can simply say, "Bring items such as cake, chocolates, and ice cream to the party" or "Bring cake, chocolates, ice cream, etc. to the party."
Step 3. Don't use “etc.” more than once in one sentence. Although some may find it necessary to use “etc.” more than once in a sentence to emphasize that a lot of extra things are needed, actually one “etc.” just enough. Saying something like, "I have to do the dishes, wash the car, clean my room, etc., etc., etc., before the party" is not true.
Step 4. Do not use “and” (“and”) before “etc.” Since the word “et” in “et cetera” already means “and”, use the phrase “and etc.” not necessary because this means you are saying “and and the rest”. Make sure you don't use "and" when using "etc."
Step 5. Don't use “etc.” when you're talking about a list of needed items and nothing else. If you only need biscuits, cakes, and donuts for a party, write "cookies, cake, donuts, etc." is not appropriate as this will make the reader assume that they can bring another dessert.
Step 6. Don't use “etc.” to refer to people. "Etc." can only be used for objects; to refer to people, you can use “et. al." You can't say, "I can't help but get annoyed by my younger cousins – Mary, Joe, Sue, etc. – though I try to be nice to them.", Joe, Sue, etc.-even though I try to be nice to them.”) Instead of saying that, you can say, “I can't help but get annoyed by my younger cousins – Mary, Joe, Sue et al.. – though I try to be nice to them." In this example, you use "et al.", which means "the other," to refer to his other annoying cousins.
Step 7. Use proper spelling
You can write "Et Cetera", or "etc." Some other versions are ''et caetera, et cœtera' or 'et coetera' , but the common spelling is “etc.' Carefully remember how this word is spelled, because if it is wrong it will be very noticeable. Don't spell it "ect" or "cet" or anything else, although you can spell it &e., &/c., or &ct. You don't have to learn all of these spellings. Just pick one that you can always use right.
Be careful pronouncing "et cetera". If you're used to saying "ek-SET-ra", it's time to get rid of that "k" sound! The correct pronunciation is "ET set-ra"
Step 8. Use correct punctuation for “etc.” At the end of “etc” there should be a period. (This does not apply if you use modern “open punctuation”, which omitted periods for eg, ie, etc). Easy, right? When your sentence is finished, end it with a full stop, don't put another punctuation mark, but if you still want to say something else in the same sentence, you should put a comma after the dot. For example:
"They ate cookies, cakes, peanuts, fairy floss, etc., and it's little wonder they ended up with stomach aches."
Step 9. Learn how to use other punctuation marks around “etc. "Yes, you must use periods and commas, but if you must also use semicolons, punctuation marks, and exclamation points, "etc." can be confusing. Here are some examples:
- Put a question mark after the period in “etc.”
- Put an exclamation point immediately after the period.
- Put a semicolon immediately after the period and use a space between it and the next word.
- Put brackets around the things you use with “etc.” when needed. For example: "Students should not pack liquids in their carry-on bags (water, shampoo, makeup remover, etc.)"
Tips
- Like “etc.”, “et ux” or “et vir” (pronounced “eht VEER”) are used (mostly in legal terms) to identify the other party as “and wife” or “and husband” respectively, even if the other party is then named. For example, “John Smith et ux”, or “John Smith et ux Melissa Smith.”
- Carefully consider the use of "et cetera". Sometimes, writing the words "and so on" or writing "…" may be more appropriate or look better in context.
- According to William Strunk in The Elements of Style, "etc." is "equal to and remainder, and so on, and thus should not be used if either of these cannot be used, to be precise, otherwise the reader will be confused about important details." With this definition, you can use "etc." only if your interlocutor will know exactly what thing or things you mean, but most people today may find this definition too redundant. The problem here is that "etc." not specific enough, and as such should be avoided.
- Study alternatives to “et cetera”. You can use, "and so on", or write "…". Whichever you choose, it will work the same and convey the right message.
