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Usage Glossary: A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

etc.

The abbreviation etc. comes from the Latin et cetera, meaning "and the like" or "and so forth." Since and is part of the meaning, and should not be used with etc.


Unacceptable

He brought goggles, gloves, respirators, and etc.

Acceptable

He brought goggles, gloves, respirators, etc.


Do not place etc. at the end of a list that begins with for example, including, or such as. These phrases already suggest the inclusion of other things.


Unacceptable

He brought safety equipment, such as goggles, gloves, respirators, etc.

Acceptable

He brought safety equipment, such as goggles, gloves and respirators.


Generally, use a phrase such as and so on, and so forth or and the like rather than etc..


Weak

He brought goggles, gloves, respirators, etc.

Improved

He brought goggles, gloves, respirators, and so forth.


Reference Link Text
## etc. ##
Reference Link Text

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