Is there any difference in using etc or ellipsis when listing examples?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
1
When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?
What I mean, is there any difference between
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)
and
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?
Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.
abbreviations syntax lists pragmatics
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
|
show 1 more comment
1
When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?
What I mean, is there any difference between
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)
and
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?
Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.
abbreviations syntax lists pragmatics
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
1
Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?
– matronator
2 days ago
1
It might help to know that this device (the ellipsis) is used much much less often in English than it is in French, and possibly other Romance languages - I'm not sure what your first language is. This fits I think with what John Lawler says, if you bear in mind that when we offer a list of things that is incomplete, it's almost always with the idea that there is some unifying principle behind it.
– Minty
2 days ago
1
In your example there is an organising principle (the things that make up the basic cost of living) so etc. is the right option.
– Minty
2 days ago
I find no essential rule that says you have to use one over the other, or that either is right or wrong in any given circumstance. (Some people argue against using even etc., but instead leaving it out altogether or using the words and so on.) What you do is a matter of style and personal opinion, and not of grammar.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
1
1
1
When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?
What I mean, is there any difference between
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)
and
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?
Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.
abbreviations syntax lists pragmatics
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?
What I mean, is there any difference between
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)
and
(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?
Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.
abbreviations syntax lists pragmatics
abbreviations syntax lists pragmatics
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
matronator
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
asked 2 days ago
matronatormatronator
62
62
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
1
Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?
– matronator
2 days ago
1
It might help to know that this device (the ellipsis) is used much much less often in English than it is in French, and possibly other Romance languages - I'm not sure what your first language is. This fits I think with what John Lawler says, if you bear in mind that when we offer a list of things that is incomplete, it's almost always with the idea that there is some unifying principle behind it.
– Minty
2 days ago
1
In your example there is an organising principle (the things that make up the basic cost of living) so etc. is the right option.
– Minty
2 days ago
I find no essential rule that says you have to use one over the other, or that either is right or wrong in any given circumstance. (Some people argue against using even etc., but instead leaving it out altogether or using the words and so on.) What you do is a matter of style and personal opinion, and not of grammar.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
1
When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
1
Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?
– matronator
2 days ago
1
It might help to know that this device (the ellipsis) is used much much less often in English than it is in French, and possibly other Romance languages - I'm not sure what your first language is. This fits I think with what John Lawler says, if you bear in mind that when we offer a list of things that is incomplete, it's almost always with the idea that there is some unifying principle behind it.
– Minty
2 days ago
1
In your example there is an organising principle (the things that make up the basic cost of living) so etc. is the right option.
– Minty
2 days ago
I find no essential rule that says you have to use one over the other, or that either is right or wrong in any given circumstance. (Some people argue against using even etc., but instead leaving it out altogether or using the words and so on.) What you do is a matter of style and personal opinion, and not of grammar.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
1
1
When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
1
1
Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?
– matronator
2 days ago
Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?
– matronator
2 days ago
1
1
It might help to know that this device (the ellipsis) is used much much less often in English than it is in French, and possibly other Romance languages - I'm not sure what your first language is. This fits I think with what John Lawler says, if you bear in mind that when we offer a list of things that is incomplete, it's almost always with the idea that there is some unifying principle behind it.
– Minty
2 days ago
It might help to know that this device (the ellipsis) is used much much less often in English than it is in French, and possibly other Romance languages - I'm not sure what your first language is. This fits I think with what John Lawler says, if you bear in mind that when we offer a list of things that is incomplete, it's almost always with the idea that there is some unifying principle behind it.
– Minty
2 days ago
1
1
In your example there is an organising principle (the things that make up the basic cost of living) so etc. is the right option.
– Minty
2 days ago
In your example there is an organising principle (the things that make up the basic cost of living) so etc. is the right option.
– Minty
2 days ago
I find no essential rule that says you have to use one over the other, or that either is right or wrong in any given circumstance. (Some people argue against using even etc., but instead leaving it out altogether or using the words and so on.) What you do is a matter of style and personal opinion, and not of grammar.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
I find no essential rule that says you have to use one over the other, or that either is right or wrong in any given circumstance. (Some people argue against using even etc., but instead leaving it out altogether or using the words and so on.) What you do is a matter of style and personal opinion, and not of grammar.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
|
show 1 more comment
0
active
oldest
votes
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
matronator is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
draft saved
draft discarded
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f492672%2fis-there-any-difference-in-using-etc-or-ellipsis-when-listing-examples%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
0
active
oldest
votes
0
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
matronator is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
draft saved
draft discarded
matronator is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
matronator is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
matronator is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
draft saved
draft discarded
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f492672%2fis-there-any-difference-in-using-etc-or-ellipsis-when-listing-examples%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
1
Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?
– matronator
2 days ago
1
It might help to know that this device (the ellipsis) is used much much less often in English than it is in French, and possibly other Romance languages - I'm not sure what your first language is. This fits I think with what John Lawler says, if you bear in mind that when we offer a list of things that is incomplete, it's almost always with the idea that there is some unifying principle behind it.
– Minty
2 days ago
1
In your example there is an organising principle (the things that make up the basic cost of living) so etc. is the right option.
– Minty
2 days ago
I find no essential rule that says you have to use one over the other, or that either is right or wrong in any given circumstance. (Some people argue against using even etc., but instead leaving it out altogether or using the words and so on.) What you do is a matter of style and personal opinion, and not of grammar.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago