etc

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "etc." is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that there is more of something that could be listed. For example: I love Italian food - pizza, pasta, lasagna, etc.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I currently include £2.5bn for all tax and spectrum fines etc in India and therefore this outcome would be positive from a valuation perspective.

The Guardian - Business

During that time there has been much outrage, shock, horror, etc expressed by the media and the tech industry.

The Guardian - Tech

For a person to remain "voluntary" with the looming threat of detention should they try to leave, effectively incarcerates them – but without any of the rights (for appeal, legal aid etc) that the Mental Health Act provides.

The Guardian

We'll also talk about the business of writing, the publishing process etc. Students will be encouraged to give readings of their work to the rest of the group.

The Guardian

"I won't miss the God-botherers, the Tories, the hypocrites who ignored me when I was alive, etc".

The Guardian - Books

When a book, film, song, theatre show, YouTube clip or whatever is tagged with the term controversial it always jolts me into an internet frenzy of researching, watching, buying etc.

The Guardian

"Wild animal like tiger, lion etc – 82 rupees," said the ferry ticket board.

The Guardian - Travel

Even though billions of taxpayers' euros had to be diverted into the banking system to ensure its survival the banks continue to behave disgracefully, refusing to loan to small and medium enterprises, harassing households with mortgage problems, overcharging customers for going into the red by merely a few euros, etc.

The Guardian

We know in our bones that we ought not to be driving diesel cars, leaving our lights on, flying to Tallinn on weekend breaks, putting off insulating our homes, etc.

The Guardian - Tech

I now also always use my middle name in all correspondence, invoicing, etc.

The Guardian - Tech

As one moderator told me:"There seems to be a huge backlash against the Guardian's increasing coverage of feminist issues, from more frivolous pieces (body hair, sunbathing topless, anything to do with Beyoncé) to pieces on domestic violence, FGM etc. WATM (what about the men) is now something we look out for on any piece about women as standard".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "etc" sparingly in formal writing; it's often better to be specific or use a more formal alternative like "and so forth".

Common error

Avoid using "etc" at the end of a list that is already implied to be incomplete or when the reader can easily infer what else might be included. It can make your writing seem lazy or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The abbreviation "etc" functions as an enumerative abbreviation, indicating that a list continues beyond the items explicitly mentioned. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The abbreviation "etc" is a very common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a list continues. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a usable and correct word in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, "etc" serves to shorten lists and avoid redundancy. While acceptable in many contexts, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "and so forth" in academic or highly formal writing. Overusing "etc" can make writing seem lazy; instead, be specific or use it judiciously. While "etc" is versatile, alternatives such as "and so on" or "and the like" offer nuanced options for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

et cetera

This alternative is the full Latin phrase from which "etc" is derived, offering a slightly more formal tone.

and so on

This alternative is similar to "and so forth" but slightly less formal.

and similar items

This alternative clearly indicates the inclusion of items of the same kind or nature as those listed.

and so forth

This alternative is a more formal way to say "etc".

and more

This alternative is a simple and direct way to indicate that the list is not complete.

and the like

This alternative is used to indicate similar items or things.

among others

This alternative is often used to highlight that the listed items are not exhaustive.

to name a few

This alternative explicitly states that only a few examples are being provided.

and others

This alternative is typically used when referring to people rather than things.

and all that

This alternative is more informal and can imply a sense of dismissiveness or familiarity.

FAQs

How do I use "etc" correctly in a sentence?

"Etc" is used at the end of a list to indicate that there are more items that could be included. For example: "I need to buy milk, bread, eggs, "etc"."

What are some alternatives to "etc" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "and so forth", "and so on", or "and the like" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "etc" in formal writing?

While "etc" is generally acceptable, it is often better to use a more formal alternative like "and so forth" in formal writing. Being specific is preferable to using ""etc"".

Can I use "etc" at the beginning or in the middle of a list?

"Etc" is typically used at the end of a list to indicate that it continues. It is not appropriate to use it at the beginning or in the middle.