How To Use Etc In Formal Writing

If it is in parentheses in the middle of a sentence or at the end of a sentence no comma is needed.

How to use etc in formal writing. Is from the latin et cetera which means and other things. It appears at the end of a list when there is no point in giving more examples. How to use correct punctuation. If you re unsure ditch the latin. Writers use it to say and so on or i could go on or you get the idea.

And et cetera is redundant. If you re ever unsure just use for example or that is instead. In american english etc. But make sure you pick one style for all abbreviations and stick to it. If it is at the end of the sentence.

Is appropriate is to substitute and so on or and so forth. A good way to test whether etc. 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. And etc is best avoided too if you can. Remember et means and.

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. You should never use and et cetera. This rule is quite simple. 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. 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.

Ends in a period even midsentence. Full words no contractions should be used to simplify words in other words use it is rather than it s.