How To Use Etc In Formal Writing

If you re unsure ditch the latin.

How to use etc in formal writing. A good way to test whether etc. Remember et means and. 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. Writers use it to say and so on or i could go on or you get the idea. 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. And et cetera is redundant. Full words no contractions should be used to simplify words in other words use it is rather than it s. You should never use and et cetera. Is from the latin et cetera which means and other things.

If it is at the end of the sentence. If those synonyms make sense you can use etc. If it is in parentheses in the middle of a sentence or at the end of a sentence no comma is needed. Don t use a comma after etc. This rule is quite simple.

And etc is best avoided too if you can. How to use correct punctuation. You can write etc ie and eg with or without full stops. 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. 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.

It appears at the end of a list when there is no point in giving more examples. Is appropriate is to substitute and so on or and so forth.