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I have seldom needed to use etc. I try to use generally accepted rules of
use. When I err, I like to think I do so on the side of clarity. I tend to
avoid things like etc., et al., e.g., etc., because I prefer to be more
specific or spell out those things that the etc. describes.
As an aside, what do you think about "yadda yadda yadda" as an alternative
<g>?
Sean
sean -at- quodata -dot- com
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Rebecca Merck [mailto:Rebecca -dot- Merck -at- ONESOFT -dot- COM]
>>>Sent: Monday, February 22, 1999 11:27 AM
>>>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>>>Subject: Re: etc.?
>>>
>>>
>>>I tend to alternate between other ways of saying it: "and
>>>so on," "and
>>>others." And one that I kinda enjoy using is "and the like." It's a
>>>little archaic, but I think it has a nice ring to it.
>>>
>>>Thanks for the info, Lisa, on internationalizing "etc." -- I hadn't
>>>thought of that. Since I find myself internationalizing, I'll make a
>>>greater effort to ensure that I'm "etc.-free"!
>>>
>>>On a similar note, I completely blow a gasket when I see
>>>e.g. and i.e.
>>>used improperly -- I forcibly restrain myself from checking my NYPL
>>>Style Guide to make sure I used them right in THIS sentence! Like
>>>Leonard, I think misusing and overusing these little guys
>>>can backfire
>>>terribly.
>>>
>>>-Rebecca
>>>
>>>
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>>>