& vs. And – Which is Correct?
In APA in-text citations, use an ampersand (&) inside parenthetical citations, but write “and” when authors’ names appear in the narrative. For example, use (Smith & Lee, 2024), but write Smith and Lee (2024). Both are correct; placement and citation style determine the choice, not a matter of preference when citing sources.
& or and in In-Text Citations—Which Is Correct?
Both & and and are correct in in-text citations, but they are used in different situations. In APA style, use an ampersand inside a parenthetical citation: (Garcia & Patel, 2025). Use the word and when the authors’ names form part of the sentence: Garcia and Patel (2025) explain that…
The same basic distinction is often taught as parenthetical citation = & and narrative citation = and. However, citation systems do not all follow exactly the same rules. MLA, Chicago, and other styles may use and in places where APA uses an ampersand, so always check the required style guide.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the sentence test: if the authors’ names are inside parentheses, use &; if you can read the authors’ names naturally as part of your sentence, use and.
Compare these examples:
- Parenthetical: Recent research supports this conclusion (Brown & Wilson, 2023).
- Narrative: Brown and Wilson (2023) support this conclusion.
Another quick mnemonic is “& stays in the brackets; and belongs in the sentence.” This rule is especially useful for APA papers.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| & | Ampersand symbol | A typographic symbol meaning “and”; used in APA parenthetical citations | (Taylor & Morgan, 2022) |
| and | Coordinating conjunction | Connects words, phrases, or clauses; used in APA narrative citations | Taylor and Morgan (2022) report… |
How to Use & in In-Text Citations
The ampersand is used in APA parenthetical citations when a source has two authors. The authors’ surnames appear inside parentheses, followed by an ampersand, the publication year, and a comma before the year when required by the style.
Example 1: Sleep quality can affect academic performance (Nguyen & Carter, 2024).
Example 2: The relationship has been examined in several studies (Harris & Cole, 2021; Young, 2023).
Example 3: According to one study, the intervention improved concentration (Adams & Rivera, 2022).
In APA, an ampersand is also used between two authors in a reference-list entry. It should not normally replace the word and in ordinary prose. For example, write “The researchers compared the results,” not “The researchers & compared the results.”
Etymology of the ampersand
The ampersand developed from a joined handwritten form of the Latin word et, meaning “and.” The symbol was traditionally recited as “and per se and,” meaning “and by itself, and.” Over time, that phrase was shortened in English pronunciation to ampersand.
How to Use and in In-Text Citations
Use and in APA narrative citations when the authors’ names are incorporated into the grammar of the sentence. The word connects the surnames just as it would connect any two names in ordinary prose.
Example 1: Nguyen and Carter (2024) found that sleep quality influenced academic performance.
Example 2: Harris and Cole (2021) examined the relationship between exercise and concentration.
Example 3: Adams and Rivera (2022) reported significant improvements after the intervention.
Do not use and inside an APA parenthetical citation for two authors. The correct form is (Nguyen & Carter, 2024), not (Nguyen and Carter, 2024). This distinction applies specifically to APA’s citation conventions; other academic styles may have different rules.
Etymology of the word and
And comes from Old English and and is related to similar connecting words in other Germanic languages. It has served as a coordinating conjunction for centuries, linking words, phrases, and clauses that have equal grammatical status.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between narrative and parenthetical citations makes it easier to apply the ampersand and and correctly.
- Narrative citation: A citation in which the author’s name appears naturally in the sentence. APA uses and between two authors in this format.
- Parenthetical citation: A citation placed in parentheses, usually at the end of a sentence. APA uses an ampersand between two authors in this format.
- Coordinating conjunction: A word such as and that connects grammatically equal words, phrases, or clauses.
- Citation style: A set of rules governing citations, references, punctuation, and formatting. APA, MLA, and Chicago may use different conventions.
Examples from Media and Literature
Published writing uses the choice between & and and according to the citation style and the position of the authors’ names. The following examples illustrate common academic contexts:
- Research article, APA parenthetical: Media exposure can influence perceptions of risk (Lopez & Chen, 2023).
- Research article, APA narrative: Lopez and Chen (2023) found that media exposure influenced perceptions of risk.
- Book discussion, APA parenthetical: The novel presents memory as unreliable (Miller & Grant, 2020).
- Literary analysis, APA narrative: Miller and Grant (2020) interpret the novel’s structure as deliberately fragmented.
- News-based academic writing: A study of election coverage reached a similar conclusion (Roberts & Singh, 2025).
& Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| and | The written conjunction represented by the ampersand symbol; used in APA narrative citations rather than parenthetical citations. |
| ampersand | The name of the symbol &, which means “and.” |
And Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| also | Indicates that another item or idea is added; it does not always function as a direct grammatical replacement for and. |
| as well as | Adds a related person or thing, often with slightly greater emphasis on the first item. |
| in addition to | Introduces an additional person, thing, or idea in a more formal way. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Should I use & or and in an APA in-text citation?
Use & in a parenthetical citation, such as (Smith & Jones, 2024). Use and in a narrative citation, such as Smith and Jones (2024).
Question 2: Is it wrong to use and between authors’ names?
No. And is correct when the authors’ names are part of the sentence. In APA, however, an ampersand is required when the names appear inside parentheses.
Question 3: Do MLA and Chicago use the same ampersand rule as APA?
Not necessarily. MLA generally writes and between authors in its in-text citation system, while Chicago style depends on whether the author-date or notes-and-bibliography system is being used. Follow the style guide assigned for your work.
Conclusion
In APA in-text citations, use & for two authors in a parenthetical citation and and when the authors are named in the sentence. For example, write (Lee & Davis, 2024) but Lee and Davis (2024). Pro Tip: Consistent citation formatting strengthens your credibility and protects your professional reputation.
