And etc. vs. Etc. – Which is Correct?
Use etc., not and etc. The abbreviation etc. comes from the Latin et cetera, meaning “and other things,” so adding and repeats the meaning. Write “books, films, etc.” In formal writing, include the period, avoid etc. after an incomplete or vague list, and make sure the category is clear.
and etc or etc – Which is Correct?
Etc. is the correct choice when you want to mean “and other things,” “and others,” or “and so on.” The phrase and etc. is redundant because et, the first part of the Latin expression et cetera, already means “and.”
Although people sometimes say or write “and etc.”, standard English usage avoids it. Use etc. after a list when additional examples belong to the same category.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Remember that etc. already contains the meaning of “and.” The Latin word et means “and,” so adding another and creates repetition. If you could replace the phrase with “and so on,” use etc. alone.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| etc. | Abbreviation | And other things; and so on | Bring pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. |
| and etc. | Redundant phrase | An unnecessary repetition of “and” | Avoid: Bring pens, pencils, and etc. |
How to Use etc.
Etc. is used at the end of a list to show that the list continues with similar items. It is common in informal and general-purpose writing, including notes, emails, instructions, and some academic contexts. However, it can sound vague, so precise writing often names all important items instead.
Place etc. after at least two clear examples whenever possible. Do not use it when the reader cannot reasonably understand what other items belong in the category.
Example 1: The store sells office supplies such as folders, staplers, labels, etc.
Example 2: The course covers punctuation, sentence structure, paragraph organization, etc.
Example 3: Please bring sunscreen, water, a hat, etc., for the outdoor activity.
Etymology of the word etc.
Etc. is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase et cetera. Et means “and,” while cetera means “the other things.” The expression entered English through formal Latin usage and has long been used to indicate that a list continues.
The period in etc. shows that the word is abbreviated. In American English, the period is normally retained even when the abbreviation appears at the end of a sentence. If the sentence ends with etc., one period is enough.
Related Concepts
Understanding redundancy and list punctuation makes it easier to use etc. accurately and avoid unnecessary repetition.
- Redundancy: A redundancy repeats information that is already expressed. “And etc.” is redundant because etc. already includes the meaning “and other things.”
- Abbreviations: An abbreviation shortens a longer word or phrase. The period in etc. signals that it is shortened from the Latin et cetera.
- Parallel lists: Items before etc. should generally belong to the same grammatical and logical category. For example, “apples, oranges, and bananas, etc.” is clearer than a list containing unrelated items.
- Vague language: Expressions such as etc. can leave meaning unclear. In formal or technical writing, specify the remaining items when they matter to the reader.
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers in books, journalism, screenplays, and everyday media use etc. to shorten familiar lists. The following representative examples show how the correct form works in context:
- In a novel: “The attic contained old portraits, trunks, letters, etc.” The abbreviation suggests that other attic objects are present without listing every one.
- In a film or television script: “Bring blankets, flashlights, batteries, etc.” The character uses etc. to refer to other basic supplies.
- In a news report: “The relief package included food, medicine, clean water, etc.” The list summarizes several related forms of aid.
- In a magazine article: “The hobby requires patience, practice, creativity, etc.” The abbreviation indicates additional qualities related to the topic.
- In an instruction manual: “Clean the surface with soap, detergent, or another mild solution, etc.” In highly technical instructions, however, a specific list is often safer than a vague abbreviation.
etc. Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| and so on | Indicates that a list or series continues in the same way. |
| and the like | Refers to other similar people, things, or examples. |
| and so forth | Signals that additional comparable items have been omitted. |
| among others | Shows that the named examples are only some of the relevant group. |
| et cetera | The complete Latin expression represented by the abbreviation etc. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “and etc.” grammatically correct?
No. “And etc.” is generally considered redundant because etc. already means “and other things.” Write “books, films, etc.” instead.
Question 2: Should I write “etc” or “etc.”?
In standard American English, write etc. with a period because it is an abbreviation of et cetera. If it appears at the end of a sentence, do not add a second period.
Question 3: Can “etc.” be used in formal writing?
Yes, but use it carefully. In formal, academic, legal, or technical writing, a complete and specific list is often clearer. Avoid etc. when the omitted information is important or difficult to infer.
Question 4: Is “and so on” better than “etc.”?
Neither is always better. Etc. is concise and conventional, while “and so on” may sound more natural in conversational prose. Choose the form that best suits the tone and clarity of the sentence.
Conclusion
Use etc., not and etc., because the abbreviation already contains the meaning “and other things.” Remember the Latin origin et cetera, place etc. after a clear related list, and include its period. Pro Tip: Avoiding redundant phrases in professional writing makes your communication appear more precise and polished.
