Note 80 – Some notes on ‘etc.’

For the background to my writing challenge, please read my first blog by clicking the following link – http://wp.me/p1x6Ui-4. If you would prefer to dive straight into note 80, then please read on…

The long and short form

Etc., is a latin abbreviation meaning ‘and so on’, therefore you don’t ever need to write ‘and etc.’

• Long form = et cetera (traditional way)
• Short form = etc. (equally acceptable, but always with a full-stop after it)

The Pocket Writer’s Handbook by Martin Mander & Stephen Curtis (Penguin Reference Library) describes a common mistake that people make with et cetera.  They incorrectly pronounce the first part of the long form as ‘ek’ rather than ‘et (as in wet). 

I’ve also found a very good blog by Sherry Coven on using et cetera: Amongst other things, she suggests that you should put a comma before and after the word etc. (languageandgrammar site by Paul Yeager and Sherry Coven – http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/02/11/and-etc/.)

Hope you have enjoyed reading this.  I blog daily so please don’t forget to come back tomorrow to learn more.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra

This blog: https://mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com

My other blog: http://sandramadeira.wordpress.com

My website: www.tipsandluxuries.com (includes the introduction to my book)

Twitter: @madeirasandra and @tipsandluxuries

Reference list

The Pocket Writer’s Handbook by Martin Mander & Stephen Curtis (Penguin Reference Library)

languageandgrammar site: http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/02/11/and-etc/.)