Meaning & use
and stuff
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used at the end of a list to mean other similar things that you do not name.
Grammar: Comes after the last named item and closes the list; it cannot be moved to the front of the sentence.
Patterns
- A, B and stuff
- … and stuff like that
She bought pens, notebooks and stuff for the new term.
We talked about music, films and stuff all evening.
He keeps old tickets, photos and stuff in that drawer.
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Used after a general word to show that you mean activities or things of that kind.
Grammar: Often follows a verb of activity, as in 'do homework and stuff', adding a vague 'things like that'.
Patterns
- do something and stuff
- something and stuff
On Saturdays I just clean the flat and stuff.
He's into gaming and stuff like that.
They spent the afternoon cooking and stuff.
Common combinations
- and stuff like that
- She likes jazz and stuff like that.
- do something and stuff
- We hung out and did homework and stuff.
- and all that stuff
- He explained the rules and all that stuff.
- and stuff for something
- They packed food and stuff for the trip.
Synonyms and how they differ
- and so on
- Neutral and acceptable in most writing; 'and stuff' sounds more casual and spoken.
- and things like that
- Slightly more explicit and a little more formal than 'and stuff'.
- etc.
- Used mainly in writing and usually after a list of nouns, not after activities.
Commonly confused: and stuff or stuff?
and stuff vs stuff
'Stuff' alone is an uncountable noun or a verb; 'and stuff' is only the closing phrase added to a list.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'and stuff' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'And stuff' must come after the last item in a list, so 'bread, milk and stuff' is correct. Options that put it first or in the middle break the fixed pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “and stuff”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.