How to use ‘etc.’

About etc.

etc. is the abbreviation of et cetera.

Using etc.

DOs

• Use etc. at the end of a list to indicate that there are more items in the list other than what you have specifically mentioned.
• Make sure that your list has items that can be classified under one category.

• When using semicolons, question marks, and exclamation points after etc., make sure to have it soon after the period of the etc.

DON’Ts

• As etc. denotes ‘and the rest’, do not use an ‘and’ before the etc.. If you use an ‘and’ before etc., it will be read as ‘and and the rest’ causing redundancy.

• As etc. denotes that you are not talking about a complete list of items, do not use etc. with introductory phrases such as ‘for example’ and ‘such as’.

• Do not use etc. when referring to people. Use et al instead.

Reference

• Grammarly — How to Use “Etc.”
• wikiHow — How to Use “Etc.” Correctly