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Subject:Re: etc? From:David Harrison <david-x -dot- harrison -at- BAE -dot- CO -dot- UK> Date:Mon, 22 Feb 1999 16:52:10 +0000
I tend to steer clear of etc. wherever possible as it can be a dangerous
animal. If the "etc." is obvious to your reader (my desk is cluttered with
pens, rulers, note pads etc.) then we can assume that the reader knows about
typical desk clutter. OTOH if your introducing new material (to fly model
aeroplanes you'll need fuel, batteries, field-kit etc.) then they might not
know what else is included within your "etc."
You've probably got a computer with a parallel port to which you can connect
printers, scanners etc. Anyone care to finish the list.
In other words know your audience and know for sure what sort of schema they
can draw upon to complete the "etc.".
Apart from that I'll also agree with our other friends who use phrases "such
as", "for instance", "typically", "ETC.?"
Dave Harrison
(david-x -dot- harrison -at- bae -dot- co -dot- uk)
