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Why "and etc." is a double trouble mistake
Lloyd Cooper 06/10/2024, 00:12
What kind of error is it?
Redundancy Error
Why do people make this mistake?
People often use "and etc." thinking it emphasizes the list's continuation, similar to saying "and so forth". However, the word "etc" is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "et cetera", which means "and other things". Therefore, "and etc" translates to "and and other things", which is repetitive and incorrect.
What is correct?
The correct usage is simply "etc." without "and" before it, as "etc." already serves to indicate additional similar items.
Examples of correct usage
- We need to buy fruits like apples, oranges, etc.
- Various colors are available such as red, blue, green, etc.
- You can study languages such as English, French, Spanish, etc.
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