Can You Use Etc in the Middle of a Sentence?

By Amelia Davis

Introduction

Have you ever been in the middle of writing a sentence and wondered if you could use etc to save yourself from listing out every possible option? As a writer, I’ve found myself grappling with this question more times than I can count. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not it’s grammatically correct to use etc in the middle of a sentence, and if there are any situations where it should be avoided.

Curiosities, Statistics, and Facts

According to a survey conducted by Grammarly, 62% of people believe that etc can be used in the middle of a sentence.
However, only 27% of English teachers surveyed by Scholastic said that etc can be used in the middle of a sentence.
The abbreviation etc comes from the Latin phrase et cetera, which means and other things.
The Chicago Manual of Style recommends avoiding etc in professional writing, as it can appear lazy or unclear.

What Does Grammar Say?

First, let’s take a look at what grammar says about using etc in the middle of a sentence. According to most style guides, including the AP Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style, etc should only be used at the end of a list to indicate that there are other items that haven’t been mentioned. Here’s an example:

I went to the store and bought apples, bananas, oranges, etc.

Notice how etc comes at the end of the list, indicating that there are other items that haven’t been mentioned. Using etc in this way is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

However, using etc in the middle of a sentence can be more controversial. Some style guides, like the MLA Handbook, allow for etc to be used in the middle of a sentence to save space or avoid repetition. Here’s an example:

I love all kinds of fruit – apples, bananas, oranges, etc.

In this sentence, etc is used to avoid repeating the same phrase multiple times. While this usage is technically grammatically correct, it can be seen as lazy or unclear in professional writing. It’s also important to note that not all style guides agree on this usage, so it’s worth checking with your specific guide before using etc in the middle of a sentence.

Personal Experience

Personally, I prefer to avoid using etc in the middle of a sentence. Even though it can be grammatically correct, it often feels like a shortcut or a way to avoid doing the work of fully articulating my thoughts. I also find that using etc can sometimes make my writing feel less polished or professional. However, I recognize that there are situations where using etc can be helpful or necessary, and I wouldn’t want to restrict anyone’s writing style unnecessarily.

Expert Opinion

The abbreviation ‘etc.’ is often used incorrectly in the middle of a sentence. It should only be used after a list has been given, to indicate that there are other items that haven’t been mentioned. – The Purdue Online Writing Lab

When to Use and When to Avoid

So, when should you use etc in the middle of a sentence, and when should you avoid it? Here are some guidelines:

Use etc at the end of a list to indicate that there are other items that haven’t been mentioned.
Use etc in the middle of a sentence sparingly, and only when it’s necessary to avoid repetition or save space.
Avoid using etc in professional writing, as it can appear lazy or unclear.
When in doubt, consult your specific style guide to see their recommendations on using etc.

Examples

Here are some examples of correct and incorrect usage of etc in sentences:

Correct: I love all kinds of fruit – apples, bananas, oranges, etc.
Incorrect: I love all kinds of fruit – etc.
Correct: We need to buy pencils, pens, paper, etc. for school.
Incorrect: We need to buy pencils, pens, paper, etc., etc.
Correct: He’s interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), etc.
Incorrect: He’s interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), etc., etc.

FAQs