Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings

You may think it is easy to use 'et cetera' in a text, which means something like 'among other things' or more literally 'and the other stuff', and it is abbreviated as 'etc.' No problem, everyone knows how to use etc., or not? Well, it's not always that clear: "et cetera" is often misspelled, with incorrect punctuation and even mispronounced! The use of "et cetera" is usually not taught in school, because it is just an abbreviation anyway. Either way, it is important to know how to use it properly.

To step

1. Use "et cetera" in the sense of "and so on", or also as "all items of the same class."Et cetera" is used as an abbreviated way of saying, "and so on," "and so on", or "and other things," and is also used to describe a list without stating everything. However, it is important that the items in the list are of the same kind so that "etc." does not confuse the reader.
   • For example, you could say, "We can use cakes, cookies, etc." This shows that they can use a variety of treats, so it can be rewritten as, "We can use cakes, cookies, etc.".
   • But you cannot say, "Bring sandwiches, paper plates, cakes, etc.," because the items in the list are not the same and the person you are talking to will not know what you mean.
   • Items of the same class do not have to be physical items. They can be emotions or other forms of "things." For example, you could say, "Write down your three primary emotions for today (sadness, anger, fear, etc.)"
2. Do not use an introductory sentence with a list, such as "such as" or "for example," along with etc. You cannot say, "Bring items such as cake, chocolate, ice cream, etc. to the party," because "as" implies that it is not an exhaustive list. You can simply say, "Bring food such as cake, chocolate and ice cream to the party" or "Bring cake, chocolate, ice cream, etc. to the party."
3. Use "etc."No more than once in a sentence." While some people find it fun to use like this, to point out that a lot of extra items are needed, just one 'etc.' Say something like, 'I have to do the dishes, wash the car, my cleaning the room, etc., etc., etc. 'is never correct.
4. Do not use "and" before "etc.’ Since "et" in "et cetera means" al ", it is superfluous to use this because you say" and and the rest ". Avoid using "and" in conjunction with "etc."
5. Use "etc."Not when you are talking about a specific list of items needed and nothing more than that." If you only need cookies, cakes and donuts for a party, don't write "cookies, cake, donuts, etc." because this is not correct and gives the reader the idea that he can bring something else with him.
6. Use "etc."Not to refer to people." "Etc." can only refer to things; "Et al." Is used for humans. You can't say, `` I can't help but get annoyed with my younger nieces and nephews - Marie, John, Suzanne, etc. - but I do try to be nice to them. '' Instead, you can say , "Mary, Joe, Sue et al." The acronym "et al." Means "and others," to refer to other annoying younger family members.
7. Use the correct spelling. You can use either "Et Cetera" or "etc." There are other versions such as "et caetera", "et cœtera" or "et coetera", but we usually write it as "etc." Remember the correct spelling, otherwise it will stand out. So not "ect" or "cet" or anything like that. What is possible is & e., & / C., Or & ct. These are obscure examples and rarely used, so stick with it etc.
   • Also pay attention to the pronunciation. If you are used to saying "ek-set-ra", then it is high time to get rid of the "k"! The correct pronunciation is "et-sé-te-ra."
8. Use correct punctuation. There should be a period at the end of "etc". That makes sense, doesn't it? But if you want to add something in the sentence afterwards, you can place a comma after the period of etc., or just continue writing. If etc. is at the end of a sentence, only place 1 full stop. For instance:
   • "They ate cookies, pastries, peanuts, etc., and it's no wonder they got a stomach ache."
9. Learn how to put the correct punctuation around it. Yes, you must use a period and a comma, but when dealing with semicolons, question marks, and exclamation marks, "etc." can be confusing. Here are a few examples:
   • Place a question mark after the period in "etc."
   • Put an exclamation mark immediately after the period.
   • Places a semicolon immediately after the period and a space between this semicolon and the next word.
   • Put parentheses around the items you use, along with etc. when needed. For example: "Students should not bring liquids in their hand luggage (water, shampoo, make-up remover, etc.)."

Tips

• The abbreviations et ux or et vir, usually in legal circles, are used to indicate the other party, such as "and wife" or "and husband", respectively, even if the other party is mentioned by name. For example, Jan Smit et ux, or Jan Smit et ux Melissa Smith.
• Judge for yourself what is best when applying "et cetera". Sometimes it's better to type "and so on" or "...", or it just fits the context better.
• According to William Strunk in the canonical text, 'The Elements of Style', 'etc.' is' equal to and the remainder, or so on, and thus should not be used if any of these do not satisfy, that is, if the reader may be uncertain about certain important data. '' By this definition, you should not use 'etc.' unless the person you are speaking to knows exactly what items you are talking about, but most people find this definition a bit too strict . The objection here is that "etc." is not accurate enough and should therefore be avoided.
• There are other ways of saying the same thing as "et cetera". You could say, "and so on," but you can also write, "..." Whichever way you use it doesn't matter, as long as it works to convey the correct meaning.

Warnings

• Although this rule is not always followed, et cetera is usually used to indicate things. When it comes to omitting a list of people, et alii, or et al. Is better to use. The same rules for punctuation apply, except that et al. Are never written together.