How To Use Etc In Formal Writing

In american english etc.

How to use etc in formal writing. It appears at the end of a list when there is no point in giving more examples. Is from the latin et cetera which means and other things. If you re ever unsure just use for example or that is instead. A formal writing style shows a limited range of emotions and avoids emotive punctuation such as exclamation points ellipsis etc unless they are being cited from another source. This rule is quite simple.

And etc is best avoided too if you can. Remember et means and. You can write etc ie and eg with or without full stops. If those synonyms make sense you can use etc. But make sure you pick one style for all abbreviations and stick to it.

And et cetera is redundant. If it is at the end of the sentence. Ends in a period even midsentence. Abbreviations must be spelt out in full when first used the only exceptions being when the acronym is better known than the full name bbc itv or nato for example. If you re unsure ditch the latin.

A good way to test whether etc. If it is in parentheses in the middle of a sentence or at the end of a sentence no comma is needed. To use etc correctly use it in instances where you would say and so forth for example if you are making a list of possible desserts and want to express that there could be more items than the ones you have listed write cakes cupcakes ice cream etc do not use etc more than once and do not use etc to refer to people. Full words no contractions should be used to simplify words in other words use it is rather than it s. If you use etc in the middle of a sentence and it is not enclosed in parentheses then you must use a comma after the abbreviation.

Don t use a comma after etc. Is appropriate is to substitute and so on or and so forth.