When writing essays, reports, or any kind of academic paper, referring to other people’s work is vital. One common way of citing multiple authors is by using “et al.”
This term stands for “et alia,” which means “and others” in Latin.
Using “et al.” can make it easier to handle sources with lots of authors without cluttering your work with lengthy names.
What Is “Et Al.”?
“Et al.” is a shorthand way to acknowledge multiple authors in citations and references. It is used to imply that you are mentioning the primary author followed by others who contributed to the work.
This method keeps the text clean and easy to read.
When to Use “Et Al.”
You should use “et al.” when a work has more than a certain number of authors, often three or more, depending on the citation style you are using.
This practice is common in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago.
Examples in Different Citation Styles
APA Style
In-Text Citation: When you are citing a source with more than one author in the text, you can do it like this:
- One Author: (Smith, 2020)
- Two Authors: (Smith & Jones, 2020)
- Three or More Authors: (Smith et al., 2020)
Reference List: When you list the full reference, provide all the authors’ names up to 20 authors. If there are more, use “et al.” after the first 19 names.
Example:
- Smith, J., Jones, M., Brown, A., Davis, K., & Miller, C. (2020). Title of the book/article. Publisher.
MLA Style
In-Text Citation: MLA also uses “et al.” to refer to works with more than three authors.
- One Author: (Smith 45)
- Two Authors: (Smith and Jones 45)
- Three or More Authors: (Smith et al. 45)
Works Cited: In the Works Cited section, list the first author’s name followed by “et al.”
Example:
- Smith, John, et al. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.
Chicago Style
In-Text Citation: Chicago style uses “et al.” for more than three authors.
- One Author: (Smith 2020)
- Two Authors: (Smith and Jones 2020)
- Three or More Authors: (Smith et al. 2020)
Bibliography: List all authors in the bibliography if there are ten or fewer. If there are more, list the first seven followed by “et al.”
Example:
- Smith, John, Mary Jones, Alex Brown, Kim Davis, and Cara Miller. Title of the Book. Publisher, 2020.
Benefits of Using “Et Al.”
Using “et al.” improves readability by keeping references concise. It also avoids overwhelming your paper with long lists of authors’ names.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect Usage
One common mistake is either overusing or underusing “et al.”. Make sure you follow the specific rules laid out by the citation style you are employing.
Punctuation
Sometimes people forget the period after “et al.” Remember, it is an abbreviation, so the period is necessary.
Conclusion
Using “et al.” in citations and references simplifies the task of including multiple authors. It keeps the text tidy and easy to manage.
By following the guidelines of your chosen citation style, you can accurately and efficiently credit the work of others.
FAQs
When Exactly Should I Use “Et Al.”?
You should use “et al.” when citing works with more than a specified number of authors, usually three or more, depending on the citation style.
Is “Et Al.” Used In References Or Only In In-Text Citations?
“Et al.” can be used both in in-text citations and in the reference list or bibliography, depending on the citation style.
Do I Need To Italicize “Et Al.”?
No, “et al.” should not be italicized.
Can I Use “Et Al.” For Two Authors?
No, “et al.” is generally used when there are three or more authors.
How Do I Format “Et Al.” In APA Style?
In APA style, use “et al.” in in-text citations for three or more authors, and list the first 20 authors followed by “et al.” in the reference list if there are more than 20.
Should I Capitalize “Et Al.”?
Only the first letter “E” should be capitalized if it begins a sentence. Otherwise, it should be in lower case as “et al.”
Is “Et Al.” Different In Different Citation Styles?
The use of “et al.” is generally the same across different citation styles, but the specific guidelines and number of authors might vary.
What Does “Et Al.” Stand For?
“Et al.” stands for the Latin term “et alia,” which means “and others.”
What If I Don’t Follow The “Et Al.” Rules Correctly?
Not following the “et al.” rules might make your citations incorrect, which can lead to misunderstandings or more serious academic issues like plagiarism.
Are There Any Tools To Help With Citations Including “Et Al.”?
Yes, there are many citation tools like Zotero, EndNote, and citation generators available online that can help format citations, including the correct use of “et al.”
