The hustles and bustles of on a regular basis lifestyles are hard sufficient to make us forget about one of the vital littlest issues that in reality subject.
I’m referring to the speck-of-dust symbols on the earth of writing, the commas.
Let’s take a look at to have a seize of its suitable utilization before some other minute sentence component, the Latin abbreviation “and so on.”
Table of Contents
Will have to we all the time position a comma before “and so on.?”
The grammatical conventions recommend putting a comma before “and so on.” when it seems that within the formal textual content that strictly adheres to a closed punctuation machine, reminiscent of in instructional and prison writing. On the other hand, the pre-comma is omissible when status by means of much less inflexible tips just like the serial comma utilization in British English, particularly in informal texts. Finally, the pre-comma handiest turns into improper when non-serially the use of “and so on.” as a noun.
Et cetera in plentiful element
Regardless of what we do, we do get faced by means of the perplexing intricacies of writing each every so often.
Each local and non-native customers of English have a sentiment or two in opposition to the nuances at the back of writing such because the abbreviation and punctuation methods.
On the other hand, most of these problems are led to by means of the arbitrary but, on the identical time, additionally systematic nature of the human language.
The presence of such linguistic subtleties in conjunction with human inquisitiveness specifically units us except non-human animals.
This merely means that inquiries comparable to those linguistic nuances are herbal and inevitable phenomena.
So now, let’s take a look at to wreck one of the vital obstacles by means of figuring out the main points at the back of the abbreviation “and so on.” first.
The utilization of “and so on.”
The abbreviation “and so on.” stands for the Latin word et cetera that kind of interprets to “and the remainder” or “and different issues” in English.
“Et” stands for the phrase “and,” whilst “cetera” interprets to “the remainder” or “different issues.”
This abbreviation is used to point out identical entities that belong to in most cases a sequence of others up to now discussed or implied issues within the sentence.
However, because the meaning “different issues” recommend, “and so on.” will have to be used when indicating gadgets somewhat than other folks or puts.
Despite the fact that “and so on.” is probably the most regularly used abbreviation at this time, different permutations also are utilized by some authors like “&c.” and “et cet.”
On the other hand, relatively talking, “and so on.” used to be extra popularly used within the early 20th century than at this time.
“And many others.” is especially used with gadgets, as steered by means of the interpretation “and different comparable issues.”
Subsequently, we’ve to use the opposite Latin abbreviation “et al.” which stands for “et alia” when referring to people.
Albeit much less most probably happening than the opposite two discussed abbreviations, “et alibi,” which means that “and somewhere else,” could also be used to refer to puts.
We would possibly use “and so on.” when record a penultimate collection of actions reminiscent of within the instance underneath.
Sorry, however I will be able to’t sign up for you at the moment as a result of I nonetheless have to do the groceries, the dishes, the laundry, and so on.
We would possibly additionally use it to listing down gadgets reminiscent of gear or tools.
That man can play the electrical bass, acoustic guitar, violin, banjo, and so on., however he says he can’t sing in any respect.
However, it’s important to know that the use of “and so on.” in combination after introducing a sequence of things with particularizers like “as an example” or “reminiscent of” is thought of as superfluous.
This for the reason that particularizers already serve the similar function as “and so on.”
Superfluous: She purchased some used stuff from the flea marketplace, as an example, books, cutlery, wall decors, and so on.
Extra importantly, we will have to now not use “and” before “and so on.” or “et cetera” as a result of “et” already stands for the discussed coordinating conjunction.
Improper: Each and every summer season, my cousins and I’m going kayaking, canoeing, tenting, and and so on.
Once more, the use of “and so on.” is finished to put across the concept that record additional is pointless because the reader can already perceive the implied message.
Putting the essential comma before “and so on.”
At the start, the overall rule to keep in mind is that the use of “and so on.” isn’t inspired within the formal writing context.
It is because using abbreviations reduces textual clarity, which, in flip, limits the protection of the target market that may perceive the textual content.
On the other hand, an exception to the rule of thumb applies when there’s a dire necessity of the use of abbreviations.
As an example, each the Chicago Handbook of Taste (CMOS) and the American Mental Affiliation E-newsletter Handbook (APA) handiest permit abbreviations inside parenthetical marks.
Therefore, within the narrative or the working textual content, the entire Latin translation will have to be written as a substitute.
Now, let’s see what prerequisites information the pre-comma utilization to “and so on.”
When the use of “and so on.” as a parenthetical subject material
As discussed, formal writing taste guides such because the CMOS and the APA inspire writing abbreviations handiest inside parentheses.
When this occurs, a comma is essential before “and so on.” or proper after the ultimate component at the consultant listing.
The individuals’ fundamental demographics (gender, age, citizenship, and so on.) have been gathered electronically.
Moreover, it’s not beneficial to introduce the listing with “e.g.” and finish it with “and so on.” as a result of its superfluous denotation.
On the other hand, we would possibly nonetheless see this sort of sentential construction in instructional texts reasonably continuously, which means that that this explicit rule continues to be now not absolutely applied in instructional writing.
But even so, it additionally means that this actual tenet is being paid much less consideration than the others reminiscent of in writing citations and references.
When “and so on.” follows a mid-sentence collection of things
As the position of the Oxford or comma is changing into extra well known as a default rule, the similar is correct when coping with a mid-sentence “and so on.”
A extra standardized rule usually prevents false impression and incorrect information after we get faced by means of different comparable instances.
As steered by means of writing taste government, a comma is essential before “and so on.” when it seems that mid-sentence introducing the speculation of extra intensive examples.
She all the time seems ahead to the blooming of hyacinth, daffodil, tulip, primrose, forsythia, and so on. in spring.
Within the instance above, the pre-comma clarifies that the creator nonetheless targets to listing down extra examples, however since the purpose has been made, chooses now not to lengthen the listing additional.
When “and so on.” ends the sentence
In a similar way, when the sentence does now not want additional main points and the creator additionally needs to prevent the sentence at “and so on.,” a pre-comma could also be essential.
It sounds as if, a comma after it’ll create ungrammaticality as there are not more main points to be anticipated.
Extra importantly, please notice that this sort of sentence building combines the serve as of the abbreviation and the declarative sentence’s length.
So, we should now not put two sessions or complete stops in sentences identical to the following instance.
Hayley is keen on marine animals. She loves seeing dolphins, seals, whale sharks, sea otters, and so on.
The primary level of this phase is {that a} comma is all the time essential before “and so on.” anyplace it seems that within the sentence, regardless of whether or not within the working textual content or inside parenthetical marks.
Putting the non-compulsory comma before “and so on.”
Now that we’ve recognized the essential comma placement tips, the non-compulsory pre-comma placement could also be worth having a look at for readability functions.
Despite the fact that this phase acknowledges the lifestyles of this sentential development, please be mindful that this writing taste is usually now not inspired.
When there is just one merchandise previous “and so on.”
There are occasions when translating ideas into the precise identical phrases isn’t within the choice for some reason why.
One observable impact of that is after we fail to recall or come with different examples, main to the inclusion of just one merchandise as a substitute of a sequence.
That is applicable in informal texts that don’t essentially have an effect on the overall output of the creator, similar to after we are exchanging messages with buddies.
In technical writing, despite the fact that, this sort of sentence building may just simply acquire consideration from government, and subsequently, will have to be have shyed away from.
Practice the next sentence.
Dan loves excessive actions like bungee leaping(,) and so on.
The sentence above is completely grammatical and would now not lead to misinterpretation.
However, it will give an affect that the creator of the message may well be slightly pretentious.
Or, possibly the creator merely needs to keep away from together with different examples to save time and effort.
Subsequently, the comma before “and so on.” could also be comfortably ignored in such instances through which the serial listing is incomplete.
Don’t position a comma before “and so on.” when…
Finally, we will check out the situation that accounts for an improper comma utilization before “and so on.” to be ready to blank up the nooks and crannies of this matter.
When “and so on.” is used as a noun
The comma before “and so on.” handiest turns into improper when it purposes as a noun within the sentence, identical to how it’s been many times used all the way through this put up.
This situation is correct and legitimate when the use of “and so on.” as the topic or the item within the sentence, see you later that it’s not serially indexed.
A pre-comma before and so on. is nearly all the time essential.
After all, the use of different stylistic improvements like bolding, italicizing, or enclosing it in citation marks are wiser choices.
However in case those tips aren’t within the playing cards, then the creator’s grammatical discretion will have to be of extreme significance.
Steadily Requested Questions about Comma Before “And many others.”
Are we able to use “and so on.” on the finish of a sentence?
Sure, “and so on.” could also be used to finish the sentence. On the other hand, it is very important to know that there will have to handiest be a unmarried length to be used when this occurs.
Is there a comma before “and so on.” in British English?
British English usually asserts that the Oxford comma is somewhat non-compulsory than required. And because it’s extra lenient to punctuation utilization, a comma could also be comfortably ignored before “and so on.” when adhering to British English tips.
Will have to there be a comma between “and” and “and so on.” in “and and so on.?”
The use of “and” and “and so on.” consecutively demonstrates lexical redundancy for the reason that first phrase of the latter’s Latin translation “et” already method “and” in English. Since that is the case, the comma before “and” and “and so on.” will handiest be right kind if “and” is integrated within the listing as in: The coordinating conjunctions for, however, or, and, and so on. are used to hyperlink two unbiased clauses.
Conclusion
“And many others.” or et cetera is without doubt one of the heirlooms of the Latin language that we’re nonetheless comfortably the use of within the trendy occasions.
On that notice, figuring out its unique meaning and function will have to information us in our writing selections.
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