Et cetera facts for kids

Et cetera means "and the rest" in Latin. We often use it in English to show that a list continues, even if we don't write out every single item. Most people write "et cetera" as etc..

For example:

• "Jane has many pets. She has cats, dogs, cows, horses, kangaroos, rabbits, etc." This means she has these pets and other kinds too.
• "Robert bought a lot of groceries. He ordered carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, etc." This means he bought these items and more.

What is Et Cetera?

The phrase "et cetera" comes from Latin. "Et" means "and," and "cetera" means "the rest." So, together, it means "and the rest." It's a handy way to keep sentences from getting too long when you're listing many things.

How We Use "Etc."

When you see or use etc., it tells you that the list is not finished. It suggests there are more similar items that could be added. It's like saying "and so on" or "and so forth." We use it in everyday writing and speaking.

Other Ways to Write It

Sometimes, very rarely, you might see "et cetera" written as "&c". The ampersand symbol, "&", actually comes from the Latin word "et." It was formed by joining the letters 'e' and 't' together. This is why "&" means "and."

It is important to know that some people mistakenly write "ect." This is incorrect because it's not the right way to shorten "et cetera." Always remember to write it as etc.

Images for kids

• 

  This coin shows the symbol &c, which is another way to write "et cetera."

See also

In Spanish: Etcétera para niños