Word for Wednesday: Et cetera

blog home

Our Word for Wednesday theme for September is Latin expressions used in English.

Our first Latin expression of the month is et cetera.

Et cetera, often abbreviated to etc., is commonly used at the end of a list as a way of saying ‘and other similar things’ or ‘and so on’.

Here is et cetera used in some example sentences:

  • The Spellzone course uses a range of spelling techniques: word lists, spelling tests, word games, et cetera.
  • Please pack for a range of weathers: rain, snow, wind, et cetera.
  • We will be serving light snacks (sandwiches, crisps, fruit, et cetera) at the party.

If you are abbreviating et cetera to etc., you will need a full stop unless the abbreviation falls at the end of the sentence (where there is already a full stop). Here are the same example sentences but with et cetera abbreviated to etc.:

  • The Spellzone course uses a range of spelling techniques: word lists, spelling tests, word games, etc.
  • Please pack for a range of weathers – rain, snow, wind, etc.
  • We will be serving light snacks (sandwiches, crisps, fruit, etc.) at the party.

Et cetera has been used in English since the early-fifteenth century. The Latin term literally translates to ‘and the others’.

 

 


07 Sep 2022
blog home

Try Spellzone for free

Recent Blogs

How to Recognise and Overcome Tricky Spelling Patterns With Clarity and Confidence
How to Teach Spelling with Minimal Stress: Simple Techniques for Busy Teachers
Spelling for Mindfulness: How Slowing Down Can Help You Focus and Learn
Spelling Slip-Ups: Everyday Words People Often Get Wrong (and Clever Ways to Get Them Right)
Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution: Why Schools Must Do More Than Just Listen
Embedding Spelling Practice Across All Subjects in Primary Schools: Supporting Literacy Beyond English Lessons
How to Teach Spelling to Reluctant Learners: Engaging and Low-Stress Methods
Why English Spelling Is So Hard And What You Can Do About It
Spelling Tricks for Words That Don’t Sound How They’re Spelled
From Spelling to Pronunciation: Why English Words Don’t Always Sound How They Look
How Spelling Tests Can Be a Positive Learning Opportunity: Encouraging a Healthy Relationship with Assessments
Why Some Words Have Double Letters: Spelling Rules and Tips
Why Spelling Rules Matter: How Patterns Simplify Learning
Spellzone Earns High Praise in Independent Pedagogical Quality Report
Spelling Through Visualisation: Using Imagery to Remember Words
How Reading Improves Spelling: The Power of Context
Tricky English Spelling Patterns: How to Teach Common Letter Combinations
How to Create Effective Spelling Word Lists for Students: A Guide for Educators
Understanding Root Words: Unlocking the Meaning of Complex Words
Navigating the World of Hyphenated Words in English

"Spellzone is incredibly easy to access and caters for a wide range of abilities, which means you can use it throughout the school at a range of levels, making it fantastic value for money as a learning resource."

Anne Shisler, SENCO, City of London School for Girls

read more...