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Q: Research paper: Comma after "etc." at the end of a sentence
Is it correct to use comma after etc., at the end of the sentence in American style of English? What if it is a research paper? Example: Various technologies like Java, Microsoft, Unix, etc.?
Many non-native English authors face challenges while writing a research paper. In this short post, we will discuss a punctuation-related query many authors have.
"Etc." is used to indicate that only some of the items from a list have been used. Generally, in American English, if "etc." is used in the middle of a sentence, it is followed by a comma. (Tennis, soccer, baseball, etc., are outdoor games.) However, if this word appears at the end of a sentence then the period (which is part of "etc.") serves as the final punctuation mark. It should not be followed by a comma, whether it is daily writing or a research paper. (Being outdoors, we played tennis, soccer, baseball, etc.)
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There is nothing special about "etc.", it is just a normal English abbreviation (of "et cetera") and should be treated as such.
As an abbreviation it should always have a trailing period(*), although this is commonly omitted in the middle of a sentence in informal writing (email). The abbreviation period combines with the end-of-sentence period (to become just a single period), but is used in addition with any other punctuation.
(*) Abbreviations always have a trailing period in US English. In non-US English, abbreviations have a trailing period if the last letter of the abbreviation is not the same as the last letter of the expanded word/phrase. (So "Street" -> "St." in US; "St" everywhere else. "Drive" -> "Dr." everywhere)
Examples:
Good: "I use technology like Java, Microsoft, Unix, etc."
Good: "Do you use technology like Java, Microsoft, Unix, etc.?"
Good: "I use technology (like Java, Microsoft, Unix, etc.)."
Good: "I use technology like Java, Microsoft, Unix, etc. at work.
Good: "I use technology like Java, Microsoft, Unix, etc., which makes me more productive."
In particular, the following examples are wrong, since you would not use a comma in this position for any other word:
Bad: "I use technology like Java, Microsoft, etc.," (Should be: "I use technology like A, B, C.")
Bad: "Is it correct to use comma after etc., at the end of a sentence?" (Should be: "Is it correct to use comma after A at the end of a sentence?") Note a comma could be used here to introduce a slight pause for emphasis, but it would be unusual.
Bad: "Tennis, soccer, baseball, etc., are outdoor sports" (Should be: "A, B, C are outdoor sports")
Hello! It's not correct, you need, because "etc." usually placed at the end of your sentence!
You don't need to write "etc." just continue with comma and dot
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