Today I learned the difference between etc. and et al. etc. is used for things, while et al. is used for people. And they should not be interchanged.
2) etc. (and so on)
Example:
"None of my own experiences ever finds its way into my work. However, the stages of my life--motherhood, middle age, etc.--often influence my subject matter."
(Anne Tyler)
What etc. stands for in Latin: et cetera
What etc. means in English: and other things
How etc. is punctuated: with a period at the end
How etc. is used: in informal or technical writing, to suggest the logical continuation of a list of things (not, as a general rule, of people)
How etc. should not be used: (1) after and; (2) as a synonym for e.g. or et al.; (3) in reference to people; (4) vaguely to refer to "other things" that are not at all clear to the reader.
How etc. can be avoided: specify all of the items in a list or use "and so on."
3) et al. (and others)
Example:
"Why is it that any time any of us mentions that women can be something other than just mothers, teachers, nurses, et al., some mother, teacher, nurse, et al. comes in demanding that we re-affirm that it's okay to be a mother, teacher, nurse, et al.?"
(Shelley Powers)
What et al. stands for in Latin: et alii
What et al. means in English: and others
How et al. is punctuated: with a period after the l but not after the t
How et al. is used: in bibliographic citations or in informal or technical writing to suggest the logical continuation of a list of people (not things)
How et al. should not be used: (1) after and; (2) as a synonym for e.g. or etc.; (3) in reference to things; (4) vaguely to refer to "others" that are not at all clear to the reader.
How et al. can be avoided: specify all of the items in a list or use "and so on."
Commonly Confused Latin Abbreviations in English. E.g., Etc., Et al., and I.e.
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Original posting by Braincrave Second Life staff on Aug 30, 2011 at http://www.braincrave.com/viewblog.php?id=633
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