So on and so forth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'so on and so forth' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to additional items in a list that are similar or related to the previously stated items. For example: I need to buy apples, oranges, bananas, and so on and so forth for the fruit salad.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Are white middle class stories the only ones worth telling?" and so on and so forth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or someone forwards one of your IM chats, and so on and so forth.

TechCrunch

Further, one worker is married, another is not; one has more children than another, and so on and so forth.

Yale University

For one day without wetting themselves, give them a sticker and so on and so forth.

WikiHow

Move to one side, attack once, move to the other, attack again, and so on and so forth.

WikiHow

He uses a stapler, and so on and so forth.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fusion maps and so on and so forth.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

>> next logout site and so on and so forth.

Stanford University

It's a good aggression, and so on and so forth.

Cornell University

> next logout site and so on and so forth.

Stanford University

next logout site and so on and so forth.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so on and so forth" to avoid exhaustively listing items when the pattern is already clear to the reader, but don't overuse it, as it can seem vague.

Common error

Avoid using "so on and so forth" as a substitute for clear and specific details. If the omitted items are crucial, consider providing a more comprehensive list or rephrasing to be more descriptive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so on and so forth" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a clause by indicating the continuation of a list, sequence, or idea. It suggests that similar elements or details follow those explicitly mentioned. Ludwig's examples show the phrase is widely accepted in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so on and so forth" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the continuation of a series or list. While grammatically correct and widely used, as affirmed by Ludwig, it is important to use it judiciously to avoid vagueness. More formal alternatives like "et cetera" may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Ludwig's examples reveal that it frequently appears in news, academic and informal contexts. So, use "so on and so forth" when you need to suggest a continuation without being exhaustively specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

And so forth

Omits the "on", making it slightly less verbose.

Et cetera

A more formal Latin abbreviation, often used in written text.

And so on

Similar to "so on and so forth" but can be used to end a sequence of events, not a list necessarily.

And the like

Indicates similar items or ideas are included.

And others

Simple and direct, implying more unmentioned items.

And similar things

More explicit in stating the unmentioned items are similar to those listed.

And all that jazz

Informal and idiomatic, implying a range of related things.

And what have you

Suggests a range of related items or possibilities.

And the rest

Implies the omission of further similar items or details.

And other such things

Formally indicates the inclusion of unstated similar items.

FAQs

How do I use "so on and so forth" in a sentence?

"So on and so forth" is used to indicate that a list or sequence continues beyond the items specifically mentioned. For example, "I need to buy milk, eggs, bread, and "so on and so forth" for breakfast".

What's a more formal alternative to "so on and so forth"?

A more formal alternative to "so on and so forth" is "et cetera", often abbreviated as "etc.". It serves the same purpose of indicating that a list continues, but is better suited for academic or professional writing.

Is it okay to use "so on and so forth" in academic writing?

While acceptable, "so on and so forth" is generally considered less formal. For academic writing, consider using "et cetera" or rephrasing to be more specific.

What's the difference between "so on" and "so on and so forth"?

"So on" is a shorter version and is less specific than "so on and so forth", but is not necessarily grammatically incorrect in less formal situations. The longer version emphasizes that the list or sequence continues in a similar manner.