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Overview

Latin abbreviations like “e.g.,” or “etc.” are an effective way to use common argumentative phrases in parenthetical material without taking up much space or distracting your readers from your main ideas. However, in academic writing and in APA style, there are specific rules about when and how to use them.

Review Abbreviations for more information on other types of abbreviations in APA.

Common Latin Abbreviations

Latin Abbreviation  Latin Phrase  English Translation 
i.e.  id est  that is 
e.g.  exempli gratia  for example 
etc.  et cetera  and so forth 
vs.  versus  against, in opposition to 
cf.  confer  compare 

Rules for Latin Abbreviations

Only use Latin abbreviations within parentheses.

Latin abbreviations are only appropriate to use within parentheses. If you have a Latin abbreviation in the main part of your sentence, you can restructure the sentence to place the Latin abbreviation within parentheses, or you can replace it with the English translation. 

Example #1

Latin Abbreviation Option

The list includes a variety of fruits that are commonly available in most U.S. supermarkets (e.g., apples, oranges, and bananas).

English Translation Option

The list includes a variety of fruits that are commonly available in most American supermarkets—for example, apples, oranges, and bananas.

Example #2

Latin Abbreviation Option

The subjects were asked to describe their feelings (i.e., their moods, perceptions, and emotions) in the box provided on the survey form.

English Translation Option

The subjects were asked to describe their feelings—that is, their moods, perceptions, and emotions—in the box provided on the survey form.

Follow Latin abbreviations within parentheses with a comma.

Example

Numerous studies have focused on the connection between teacher engagement and student performance (e.g., Jones, 2018).

In this example, “e.g.” (which stands for “for example”) is used to provide an example of a study that is referred to generally in the text of the sentence. The Latin abbreviation is followed by a comma and the in-text citation for the source.

Using et al.

A common Latin abbreviation in APA style is “et al.” (which means “and others”). It is used in both narrative and parenthetical in-text citations when citing three or more authors and is an exception to these general rules for Latin abbreviations. Learn more about using et al. on our citation variations page. 

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