Cohesive Devices - Exercise

The Latin phrase et cetera means 'and the rest'.

As 'etc.' is an abbreviation it should always be followed by a period.

If 'etc.' comes at the end of a sentence, the period which is the part of the word serves as the final punctuation mark.   In the middle of a sentence 'etc.' is preceded and followed by a comma.

Pens, pencils, crayons, etc., will be provided by the school.

The students were using pencils, paper, crayons, etc.

This preceding comma which is also called a serial comma is a topic of debate

Et cetera is pronounced with a 't' not with a 'k'

Since the Latin form is neuter gender, etc. usually goes with things not persons.

For references to people, use et al.

 

PS: Chicago Manual of Style latest edition departs from previous recommendations and says that the succeeding comma is necessary only if required by the text.

The preceding comma which is also called a serial comma is a topic of debate.  But for a simple answer check this link. 

Use of et al.