English language use rules for the word “etcetera”

Tuesday, July 22, 2003 | FoxPro

[FoxPro]

English language use rules for the word “etcetera”.

In an attempt to be a good poster, I have the following question.

What are the rules for using the word “etcetera” and its abbreviation “etc.”? For example in the following sentence, why wouldn’t I use two periods, one for the abbreviation “etc.”, and one for ending the sentence?

He showed up with dogs and cats and mice etc.

Is it appropriate to use the following sentence?

He showed up with dogs and cats and mice etcetera.

Are there any other rules for “etcetera” that should be respected? I looked for this information on google.com, but couldn’t find anything.

English language uses rules for the word “etcetera”.

[LiteKeeper]

I suspect you have entirely too much time on your hands, with all due respect.

[Coop]

And in an attempt to be well rounded, I'd like to know why dogs eat their own feces.

[snopercod]

paging bannie...

[Only1choice____Freedom]

File this under misc. instructions when you get it.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I would say that since "etcetera" is so horribly overused it has now become a cliche, and it is best to edit the word out of one's writing completely.

[Bahbah]

Endure the teasing. You are not the only grammer nut on FR. Regarding the question about having 2 periods after etc. at the end of a sentence, I think the answer is no.

[wideawake]

"Et cetera" (properly two words) is Latin for "and the rest."

It is improper English orthography to follow a period with another period, unless you are using three periods to indicate ellipsis.

The spacing and capitalizing of the initial word of the next sentence is a sufficient indicator that the abbreviative and periodic functions are combined in a single period.

[Shermy]

"I suspect you have entirely too much time on your hands, with all due respect."

Ibid.

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

For example in the following sentence, why wouldn’t I use two periods, one for the abbreviation “etc.”, and one for ending the sentence?

Because when you end a sentence with an abbreviation, you use only one period.

I don't think the word "etcetera" is normally spelled out. I think you're safer to abbreviate it.

[dighton]

"Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera."

[Conservomax]

Well, it comes from the the latin for and (et) and the others or just others (cetera). so I would use it in place of the english translation Example,

Bill fondeled Monica, jennifer, Marylou etc. is the same as Bill fondled Monica, Marylou, jennifer and the others.

[Toonces T. Cat]

Either is acceptable as is the original latin form: et cetera

...meaning "and more"

-Toonces

[discostu]

There's really only one rule:
Only use the word "etcetera" if you can make it sound as cool as Yul Brenner did.

[FoxPro]

Endure the teasing.

I can take it, I successfully raised 3 kids.

[RJayneJ]

Editing

Maybe this will help.

[Huck]

In the spirit of teaching someone to fish instead of giving them meat:

Chicago Manual of Style

Strunk and White: Elements of Style ( a classic )

As ma and pa used to say when I was little, "Look it up."

[FoxPro]

3 kids etc.

[bethelgrad]

agreed, it is overused. however, it doesn't bother much as when i hear someone say "per se." i'm not even sure what it means. never bothered to ask for fear i might start using it myself.