What Does Et al. Mean? A Complete Guide to Proper Citation

When citing sources in academic writing, you may have encountered the term “et al.” But what exactly does it mean, and how should it be used correctly?

“Et al.” is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase “et alia,” meaning “and others.” It is commonly used in citations when referencing multiple authors to avoid listing all names repeatedly. This shorthand is essential in academic, research, and professional writing to maintain conciseness while ensuring proper attribution.

Whether you’re writing an essay, research paper, or journal article, understanding “et al.” is crucial for correct citation formatting in APA, MLA, Chicago, and other referencing styles. However, improper usage can lead to plagiarism, formatting errors, and loss of credibility.

In this article, we’ll deep-dive into:
✅ The meaning and correct usage of “et al.”
✅ How “et al.” differs across various citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)
✅ Common mistakes and how to avoid them
✅ Proper punctuation and formatting rules
✅ Real-world examples and best practices

By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical understanding of how to use “et al.” correctly—helping you enhance your academic writing while staying compliant with citation standards.

1. What Does “et al.” Mean?

The term “et al.” is derived from the Latin phrase “et alia,” which translates to “and others.” It is primarily used in academic and research writing to indicate multiple authors without listing each name individually.

Why Is “et al.” Used in Academic Writing?

In scholarly papers, research articles, and citations, “et al.” helps maintain brevity and readability. Instead of listing numerous authors in every citation, “et al.” allows writers to reference a source concisely. For example:

✅ Allen et al. (2023) argue that… (instead of listing all five authors)

This abbreviation is especially useful in disciplines where research is frequently conducted by large teams, such as medicine, science, and social sciences.

Common Misconceptions About “et al.”

1. It doesn’t mean “and al.” – The correct abbreviation includes a period (et al.), as “al.” is a shortened form of “alia.”
2. It’s not only for books and journals – “Et al.” is also used in reports, legal documents, and corporate citations.
3. It doesn’t eliminate proper citation – Writers must still follow formatting rules for citation styles like APA, MLA, and Chicago.

Understanding “et al.” ensures you use it correctly in academic and professional writing without errors.

2. How to Use “et al.” Correctly

General Usage Guidelines

“Et al.” is a shorthand used in academic and research writing to refer to multiple authors without listing all their names. It helps maintain readability and prevents excessive repetition in citations. Here are some key guidelines for its correct use:

✔ When to Use “et al.”

• Use “et al.” when citing a source with three or more authors (APA, MLA) or four or more authors (Chicago, Harvard).
• It is primarily used in in-text citations and reference lists.

✔ Where Should You Use Et Al.?

• Footnotes
• Narrative Citations
• Parenthetical Citations
• References List
• Bibliography

✔ Proper Punctuation Rules

• Always place a period after “al.” since it is an abbreviation (correct: et al.)
• Do not place a comma between “et” and “al.” (wrong: et, al.)

✔ Should “et al.” Be Italicized?

• No, “et al.” should not be italicized unless the entire sentence is italicized (e.g., book titles in citations).

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Examples of Correct Usage in Sentences

✅ Allen et al. (2023) found that social media influences consumer behavior.
✅ (According to Allen et al., 2023, the study concluded that …)

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ “et. al.” (Incorrect: unnecessary period after “et”)
❌ “et.al.” (Incorrect: missing space)
❌ Using “et al.” for a single author (Incorrect: Allen et al. when Allen is the only author)

Properly following these rules ensures accurate citations and helps maintain academic integrity.

3.”et al.” in Different Citation Styles

Different academic writing styles have specific rules for using “et al.” in citations. While the core function remains the same—to abbreviate multiple author names—each style has unique formatting requirements. Below is a breakdown of how APA, MLA, and Chicago styles handle “et al.” in both in-text citations and bibliographies.

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A. APA (American Psychological Association) – 7th Edition

The APA 7th Edition guidelines determine when to use “et al.” based on the number of authors:

📌 In-Text Citation Rules:

• One or two authors → List both names: (Allen & Green, 2022)
• Three or more authors → Use “et al.”: (Allen et al., 2022)

📌 Reference List Format:

• If a source has up to 20 authors, list all names in the reference.
• If a source has 21+ authors, list the first 19 authors, add an ellipsis (…), then include the final author’s name.

✅ Example (Reference List Entry):

Allen, J., Green, R., Brown, T., … White, S. (2022). Title of the book. Publisher.

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B. MLA (Modern Language Association) – 9th Edition

In MLA 9th Edition, “et al.” is used when there are three or more authors.

📌 In-Text Citation Rules:

• Three or more authors → Use “et al.”: (Allen et al. 45)

📌 Works Cited Format:

• The first author’s name is listed normally, followed by “et al.”

✅ Example (Works Cited Entry):

Allen, John, et al. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

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C. Chicago Style (Author-Date & Notes and Bibliography)

Chicago Style has two citation systems: Author-Date and Notes & Bibliography.

📌 Author-Date (In-Text Citations):

• Use “et al.” after the first author’s name: (Allen et al. 2023, 89)

📌 Notes and Bibliography Format:

✅ Footnote Example:
1. John Allen et al., Title of Book (Publisher, Year), 23.

✅ Bibliography Example:
Allen, John, et al. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

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Comparison of Citation Styles

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Citation Style	When to Use “et al.”	In-Text Citation Example	Reference List Example
APA (7th edition)	Use “et al.” for in-text citations with 3 or more authors. In the reference list, list up to 20 authors; if more than 20, list the first 19 followed by “et al.”	(Allen et al., 2020)	Allen, J., Doe, A., Brown, B., & Wilson, C. (2020). Title of the Book. Publisher.
MLA (9th edition)	Use “et al.” for sources with 3 or more authors, both in-text and in the Works Cited list.	(Allen et al. 25)	Allen, John, et al. Title of the Book. Publisher, 2020.
Chicago (Author-Date)	Use “et al.” for in-text citations when a source has 4 or more authors. In the reference list, list all authors for up to 10; if more than 10, list the first 7 followed by “et al.”	(Allen et al. 2020, 45)	Allen, John, Adam Doe, Brian Brown, and Charlie Wilson. 2020. Title of the Book. Publisher.

Key Takeaways

• APA: “et al.” for three or more authors in in-text citations, detailed reference list formatting.
• MLA: Always uses “et al.” for three or more authors in citations and works cited.
• Chicago: Uses “et al.” in both Author-Date and Notes & Bibliography styles.

Correct usage of “et al.” ensures your citations meet academic standards and maintain clarity in research writing.

4. Examples of “et al.” in Different Contexts

The use of “et al.” extends beyond academic writing. While it is most commonly found in research papers and scholarly citations, it also appears in books, legal documents, business communication, and even emails. Below are some practical examples of how “et al.” is used in different contexts.

1. Journal Articles

In academic writing, “et al.” is frequently used to cite works with multiple authors. For instance, in APA style:

✅ Allen et al. (2021) argue that climate change policies need revision.
✅ Research findings suggest a correlation between diet and mental health (Allen et al., 2021).

2. Books with Multiple Authors

When citing books with more than three authors, “et al.” helps streamline references. In MLA format:

✅ Allen, Robert, et al. The Future of Artificial Intelligence. Oxford University Press, 2020.

3. Conference Papers

Academic conferences often involve collaborative research, leading to citations like:

✅ Allen et al. presented a breakthrough in AI ethics at the 2022 Global Tech Conference.

4. Emails and Business Reports

Though less common, “et al.” can be used in business settings when referencing teams or departments:

✅ “The marketing strategy report by Allen et al. outlines our Q2 growth plan.”

5. Legal Citations

Legal writing uses “et al.” to refer to multiple plaintiffs, defendants, or case authors:

✅ Smith et al. v. Johnson, 2021 U.S. Supreme Court Case No. 20-1234.

Using “et al.” correctly across these contexts ensures clarity and maintains professional or academic credibility.