How to Use et al in Academic Writing? Et Al Rules & Tips For Using Et Al Correctly

In academic and scientific writing, you must maintain clarity and avoid repeating yourself. It becomes a little more challenging to prevent repeating sentences when you are citing works from different authors (as there are some statements that many authors agree with). This is exactly where et al steps in, and it’s something that you must have heard about a lot. Derived from the Latin term et alia, which means “and others.” Basically, its objective is to condense lengthy citations within the text. You might not know how to use et al if you are new to academic writing, but that’s okay; it’s normal. If you want to learn how to write et al, you are at the right place! In this blog, we will discuss the et al referencing style and learn how to use et al wherever appropriate.

Et Al Meaning: What Are They?

Before we begin dissecting the usage of et al, it is important to understand what it means. It is one of the most misunderstood abbreviations in academic writing. The et al abbreviation is of Latin origin; it is used in parenthetical and narrative in-text citations to signify that a source has multiple authors who are not explicitly named. ‘Et’ means ‘and,’ whereas ‘al’ means ‘others’ as in other authors who have not been named. 

The main purpose of using et al referencing is to reduce the clutter caused by mentioning the names of several authors who basically agree on the same issue. It allows you to mention only the first author followed by the et al abbreviation.

Here is an et al citation example: Instead of (Smith, Jones, Carter, and Chen, 2023), it becomes (Smith et al., 2023).

Et Al Grammar and Punctuation Rules You Need To Know!

There are some specific rules and regulations you need to follow if you want to master using et al correctly. The rules are simple and relatively easy to follow. Here are some et al rules that you need to follow while referencing multiple authors.

1)   The Mandatory Period Rule

The et al abbreviation must always be followed by a full stop/period (.) with no exception. This rule is non-negotiable across all citation styles, whether it is et al in Vancouver style, et al in Chicago style, et al in MLA style, etc.

2)   Capitalisation and Italics Rule

There is a common question asked by people in regards to et al: Should et al be italicized? Well, it shouldn’t be. Et al is a Latin abbreviation, but it has evolved to become a normal English term associated with academic writing by now. You don’t need to italicise it whatsoever.

3)   Punctuation Flow Within Citations

Et al grammar is absolutely important, which is why you need to be very careful about the placement of the period, comma, and parentheses. Remember, the abbreviation comes before the period, which is followed by the comma, which is followed by the year of publication.

4)   Style Guide Dependence

 The most important among et al rules is that its usage changes with citation styles. Et al in APA and MLA is similar to the latest editions require you to use it if the source has three or more authors. Et al in Chicago style, however, requires you to use et al if there are more than four authors (mention the first author before using et al.).

How To Write Et Al In Citations?

If you are confused as to how to use et al in citations, it is probably because et al. is connected to multiple citation styles despite being a citation technique itself. However, don’t let that confuse you, as writing in et al style is not a very difficult task to do. Here is how you can master the art of writing in et al.

In-Text Citation Placement

The way you structure the citation depends on whether the author’s names are part of the sentence (narrative) or placed entirely within the parentheses (paranthetical). In a parenthetical citation, the entire citation (authors' names and date) is enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence. In a narrative citation, however, the first author's name and et al. are part of the running text, and the date follows immediately in parentheses.

The Golden Rule: Reference List Exclusion

Always remember this one golden rule: Never use et al in the references section. The bibliography/reference list is supposed to list all sources, which includes the names of all authors. If you want to know how to use et al correctly, our essay writing service will help you master the basics of et al referencing like a pro.

Style Guide Differences: When to use et al

The most controversial aspect of et al is that different styles have different guidelines regarding how to use et al. Some older editions of et al in APA required you to use et al if there were more than six authors, but it is now obsolete in the 7th edition. The same goes for the MLA edition; always list all names and use the first author's name followed by et al. for ALL citations (even the first one).

Common Mistakes Students Make While Using Et Al

Unfortunately, it is pretty easy for students to get confused while using et al, which is a shame because using et al correctly should not be that difficult. Here are some et al mistakes that you should avoid at all costs.

1.   Missing the Mandatory Period

The et al meaning doesn’t specify whether it is an abbreviation, an English term, or both. Well, it is still an abbreviation, which is why it is mandatory that you use the period (.) while using it.

2.   Confusing the Style Guide Threshold

 The generalised rule for et al is that it should be used when there are six or more authors for the same source; however, you shouldn’t use this rule every time. For some citation styles, such as et al APA 7th edition, you are required to use et al. if there are three or more authors. The same goes for the MLA 9th edition as well. Make sure to check the guidelines of your specific style before using et al.

3.   Using Et Al in the Referencing or Bibliography list

The referencing and bibliography section is supposed to house a complete list of references, which is why you should avoid using et al in this section. You have to list all the authors under the bibliography.

4.   Incorrect Punctuation in Narrative Citations

Et al punctuation is confusing, and students often make the mistake of placing a comma immediately after the author’s name but before the et al. When using the narrative format, the author’s name is immediately followed by et al and the period, then the parenthetical date.

5.   Formatting Errors

Et al grammar is one thing, but formatting also gets people confused. Using italics or capitalising the et al abbreviation is something you should avoid at all costs.

Special Scenarios and Edge Cases: When To Use Et Al In Unique Circumstances?

Now you know what does et al mean and where to use it, but there is still something you might not be aware of. Et al. is also used in certain unique situations, and it is also avoided in certain scenarios that students often overlook. Here are some examples of edge cases when to use et al and when to avoid using it.

The Two Author Rule: When Not To Use Et Al

When the source has two authors, et al is to be avoided at all costs. Remember, et al is only used when there are multiple authors (three or more if we’re talking about et al in MLA or APA), not when there are just two of them. Et al vs etc should be avoided.

Ambiguous Truncation: The Clarity Test

This is a rare exception, especially when we’re discussing et al in APA. If truncating two different sources to the same first author and et al. creates ambiguity, you should add more names until the citation becomes distinct.

Corporate For Group Authors

Et al is only supposed to be used for human authors. If the author is a group, a government agency, a corporation, etc., then write the common abbreviation for that group. Et al example: Instead of writing (World Health Organisation et al., 2025) you should write (WHO, 2022).

The Reference List Exception

Lastly, et al is excluded from the reference list. However, some styles allow for an exception for some studies that have a very high number of contributors. Et al APA 7th edition and et al in MLA 9th edition have different rules for this exception.

Quick Checklist Before You Submit A Paper That Uses Et Al Referencing

If you are using the et al citation in your assignment, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before submitting your paper. Whether you are using et al in Chicago style, APA style, MLA style, or Vancouver style, make sure to take note of these guidelines before you submit your assignment.

Period Placement

Check whether every instance of et al. ends with a period (.) or not.

Punctuation Flow

 If the citation is parenthetical, is the period outside the closing parenthesis?

Capitalization Check

 Is the et al abbreviation entirely lowercase unless it is the first word of a sentence?

Style Threshold

Did you use et al. only when the source has the number of authors required by your referencing style?

Two-Author Rule

Did you ensure that you never used the et al referencing style if the source only has two authors?

References Exclusion

 Did you ensure that et al. is not used in the references and bibliography section?

No Italics

Is et al. presented in italicized text? If so, change it back to usual.

Ambiguity Check

If you have two different sources starting with the same first author and year, did you add more authors to differentiate them?

Pro Tips To Avoid Losing Marks

Et al is fairly easy to use, but it is also very easy to mess up if you don’t pay close attention. Here are some tips regarding how to write et al so that you don’t lose any marks.

Tip 1) Always include the period (.) after using et al as it is a mandatory abbreviation rule.

Tip 2) Strictly follow your required style guide to know the exact number of authors that triggers the use of et al referencing.

Tip 3) Never use et al for sources with only one or two authors. Use the ampersand (&) in that case.

Tip 4) Exclude et al entirely from your references or bibliography, as it requires a full list of sources.

Tip 5) Ensure et al is in lowercase and non-italicized unless it begins a sentence.

Tip 6) Place the comma after the period in the parentheses (eg, Smith et al. 2023).

FAQs About How To Use Et Al

When to use et al in academic writing?

You should use et al in academic writing when an in-text source has three or more authors (according to APA or MLA styles). This will help you condense the citation and avoid repeatedly listing every author’s name. Et al in APA and MLA helps reduce the clutter in the paper. 

Should et al be italicized?

This is a common question. Using et al correctly means that you should not italicize et al in MLA or APA. While it is a Latin phrase, its frequent usage has made it a conventional, naturalized abbreviation in English citations, which reduces the need for italicization.

Do I use a comma before et al?

You shouldn’t use a comma directly before et al. However, you should use a comma after the period that follows et al. This is one of the most important et al rules as it helps separate the authors from the date in a parenthetical citation.

How many authors used et al?

The minimum number of authors that can trigger the use of et al depends on the citation style being used. Et al APA 7th edition is triggered by three or more authors, and the same goes for the MLA 9th edition for all in-text citations.

Conclusion

If you ever wanted to know how to use et al citation, we hope your queries have been answered so far. It is interesting to note that despite being such a widely used referencing style, it still manages to get some students riled up and confused, which is unfortunate. We hope you learned a lot from this blog, and if you want to learn more about the et al referencing style and other styles (and how to use them), feel free to contact Do My Assignment, and our experts will transform you into a master of academic writing and citation.