An Update on Using Commas with Etc.

At paragraph 6.20, the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style notes that the abbreviation etc. (et cetera, literally “and others of the same kind”) and such equivalents as and so forth and and the like are preceded by a comma:

{The treasure map was far from complete, lacking many of the streets, alleys, etc. seen in earlier drawings.}
{My uncle’s costumes, binoculars, secret codes, and so forth were found in the attic.}

In a slight change from previous editions of CMOS, such expressions are not followed by a comma (as you can see in the examples above) unless a comma is required by the surrounding text:

Bonus tip

When listing examples, use either e.g. (“for example”) or etc. Using both is redundant.

{The attic contained my uncle’s possessions: e.g.,  costumes, binoculars, and secret codes.}
{The attic contained my uncle’s possessions: costumes, binoculars, secret codes, etc.}

~ ~ ~

The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition

Order the book
Subscribe online

 

 

Top image: Apostrophe playing the role of a comma, courtesy extra golden-time.

Please see our commenting policy.