etc

Meaning

1. 1abbreviationfixed phrase

   Short for et cetera: used at the end of a list to show that other similar things could also be named.

   Grammar: Comes after a list: apples, pears, etc.; avoid 'and etc.'.

   Patterns

   • something, something, etc.

   The store sells pens, paper, folders, etc.

   You must bring your passport, tickets, etc.

   The course covers grammar, vocabulary, listening, etc.

Common combinations

and so on, etc

Please bring food, drinks, etc.

list items etc

Shop for milk, eggs, bread, etc.

in books, magazines, etc

You can find it in books, magazines, etc.

red, blue, green, etc

The pens come in red, blue, green, etc.

pens, pencils, etc

We stock pens, pencils, etc.

Synonyms and how they differ

and so on

This is the spoken form and is more natural in conversation.

and so forth

This is slightly more formal than and so on and a bit old-fashioned.

and the like

This stresses that the unnamed items are similar to the ones listed.

et cetera

This is the full Latin spelling of the same expression, used in more formal text.

Word family

et cetera phrase

the full Latin form meaning and the rest

cetera noun

Latin for the other things

etcetera noun

the one-word spelling, also used as a noun for more of the same

Commonly confused: etc or i.e.? etc or e.g.?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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