“Et al” is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “et alia,” which translates to “and others” in English. It’s commonly used in academic writing and citations to refer to a source with more than two authors, saving space and preventing an overly long list of names.
Sentence examples:
- A study by Smith et al. (2023) found that regular exercise can improve cognitive function.
- The theory was first proposed by Jones and Miller, and further developed by Brown et al.
- According to the guidelines set forth by the International Committee on Medical Ethics et al., informed consent is crucial in medical research.
Points to remember:
- “Et al” is always followed by a period.
- It’s typically used after the last listed author’s name, separated by a comma.
- Different citation styles have specific rules regarding when to use “et al” and how many authors to list before using it. Always refer to the relevant style guide for proper usage.
Here are some additional examples with different citation styles:
- APA: A recent study by Jones et al. (2023) suggests that…
- MLA: Smith et al. argue that climate change is a pressing issue (2023).
- Chicago: Brown et al., “The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health,” Journal of Psychology 100 (2024): 1-10.