Did you know, Et al and etc. are mixed abbreviations?

Here's what that implies...

et al.

• Latin for 'and others'; et – Latin word for ‘and’; al – shortened form of Latin word ‘alii’ meaning ‘others’

• Add period only after 'al' (period is used only with abbreviated parts of words)

• Used in formal writing, especially in scientific writing when referring to a group of researchers

• Italicize

etc.

• Shortened form of Latin phrase meaning ‘and others of the same kind’; et – Latin word for 'and'; cetera – abbreviated to ‘c’

• Always add a period, even if it is followed by another punctuation (except for at the end of a sentence before another period)

• Do not use in formal writing