and things

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used after naming one or two items to mean other similar things that you do not need to list.

   Grammar: Comes at the end of a list, after the last named item: bring a notebook, pens, and things.

   Patterns

   • noun and things
   • do something and things like that

   We bought bread, milk, and things for breakfast.

   She keeps her keys, wallet, and things in that little bag.

   He talked about work, the weather, and things.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to refer vaguely to activities or matters of a certain kind, without saying exactly which.

   Grammar: Often follows words like 'like' or 'such as', or stands after 'and' at the end of a clause.

   Patterns

   • things like that
   • and things like that

   They spent the afternoon swimming and things like that.

   I like jazz and things like that.

   You can find paper, glue, and things like that in the drawer.

Common combinations

and things like that

He collects stamps and things like that.

pens and things

Put your pens and things in your bag before we leave.

food and things

We need to buy food and things for the party.

and things for the house

She bought curtains and things for the house.

and things to do

There are games and things to do at the festival.

Synonyms and how they differ

etc.

More neutral and slightly more formal; it is written with a period and often used in writing as well as speech.

and so on

Very similar in meaning, but it can also follow a longer list and sounds a little more deliberate.

and such

Close in meaning and also informal, but it is more common in American English than in British English.

Commonly confused: and things or and stuff?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “and things”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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