When reading academic papers or research topics, you may have come across the term “et al.” in citations. This abbreviation is commonly used in scholarly writing to refer to multiple authors without listing all of their names.
Understanding how and when to use “et al.” is essential for researchers, students, and professionals who write or cite academic work. This guide will explain what “et al.” means, why it is used, and how to format it correctly in different citation styles.
What Does “Et al.” Mean?
“Et al.” is a Latin abbreviation for “et alia,” which translates to “and others.” It is used to indicate that a work has multiple authors, but only the first author’s name is listed in the citation.
For example, instead of writing:
Smith, Johnson, Brown, Taylor, and White (2023)
You can write:
Smith et al. (2023)
This makes citations shorter and easier to read, especially when a paper has many co-authors.
Why Is “Et al.” Used in Citations?
Academic papers often reference works written by multiple authors. Listing all authors every time can make citations too long and difficult to read. Using “et al.” helps to:
- Keep citations concise
- Improve readability in academic writing
- Maintain consistency in citation styles
- Follow formatting rules set by journals and universities
How to Use “Et al.” in Different Citation Styles
Different citation styles have specific rules for using “et al.” Here’s how it works in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard styles.
1. APA Style (American Psychological Association)
In APA 7th edition, “et al.” is used when a source has three or more authors.
In-text Citation Example (APA 7th edition):
- (Smith et al., 2023)
- Smith et al. (2023) argue that…
Reference List Example:
- Smith, J., Johnson, R., Brown, P., Taylor, M., & White, L. (2023). Research in psychology. Academic Press.
In the reference list, all authors’ names are listed up to 20 authors. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis (…) and the final author’s name.
2. MLA Style (Modern Language Association)
In MLA 9th edition, “et al.” is used when a source has four or more authors.
In-text Citation Example (MLA):
- (Smith et al. 23)
- Smith et al. state that…
Works Cited Example:
- Smith, John, et al. A Study on Literature. Oxford University Press, 2023.
In MLA, “et al.” is only used after the first author’s name in the works cited list.
3. Chicago Style (Author-Date and Notes-Bibliography)
In Chicago Author-Date style, “et al.” is used for four or more authors in in-text citations.
In-text Citation Example (Chicago Author-Date):
- (Smith et al. 2023, 45)
- Smith et al. (2023, 45) argue that…
Reference List Example:
- Smith, John, Robert Johnson, Peter Brown, Mark Taylor, and Laura White. 2023. A Guide to History. Chicago University Press.
In Chicago Notes-Bibliography style, “et al.” is also used for four or more authors in footnotes, but all authors are listed in the bibliography.
4. Harvard Style
In Harvard referencing, “et al.” is used when a source has four or more authors.
In-text Citation Example (Harvard):
- (Smith et al., 2023)
- Smith et al. (2023) found that…
Reference List Example:
- Smith, J., Johnson, R., Brown, P., Taylor, M. & White, L. 2023, Understanding Science, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Common Mistakes When Using “Et al.”
1. Incorrect Punctuation
- Incorrect: Smith et. al (2023)
- Correct: Smith et al. (2023)
There is no period after “et” because “et” is a complete word. However, “al.” must have a period because it is an abbreviation.
2. Using “Et al.” for Two Authors
- “Et al.” should only be used when there are three or more authors.
- If a source has two authors, both should be listed.
Example:
- Correct (APA): (Smith & Johnson, 2023)
- Incorrect: (Smith et al., 2023)
3. Mixing Citation Styles
Each citation style has specific rules. Always follow the guidelines required by your university, journal, or professor.
4. Forgetting to List All Authors in the Reference List
Even if “et al.” is used in in-text citations, most styles require listing all authors in the full reference (except MLA).
When Not to Use “Et al.”
- If a journal or professor specifies a different citation format.
- When citing a single-author work.
- If a source has only two authors, in which case both names should be included.
Why Understanding “Et al.” Is Important
- Avoids plagiarism by ensuring proper citation.
- Enhances academic writing by keeping citations concise and professional.
- Follows citation standards, making research more credible.
- Improves readability by preventing long lists of author names.
“Et al.” is an essential part of academic citations, allowing writers to reference multiple authors without making their work overly complex. Each citation style has specific rules, so understanding how to use “et al.” correctly in APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard formats is crucial.
By applying these rules, researchers and students can properly cite their sources, improve the clarity of their writing, and maintain academic integrity.