Unlock precise citation skills with our guide on using “et al.” in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. Master academic referencing effortlessly!
Understanding how to use “et al.” in academic writing is crucial for proper citation.
This article will clarify the concept of “et al.” in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, ensuring your references are accurate and adhere to each style’s unique conventions.
et al.
The word “et al.” is derived from the Latin “et alia,” which means “and others.” It is used to refer to a source with several authors in academic citations.
Using “et al.” as an Example
In 2019, Hulme et al. suggest that…
There are differences in the rules on when to use “et al.” among citation styles. The guidelines for APA, MLA, and Chicago styles are described below.
APA Style
1. In-Text Citations
In APA, “et al.” is used in in-text citations when a work has three or more authors. Include the first author’s name followed by “et al.” and the publication year.
Example: (Smith et al., 2020)
2. Reference List
In the reference list, list up to 20 authors. If there are 21 or more authors, list the first 19 followed by an ellipsis (…) and the last author’s name.
Example: Smith, J., Johnson, R., Williams, A., et al. (2020).
Applying “et al.” in APA Style
The use of “et al.” in APA Style varies between the 6th and 7th editions.
Rules for 7th Edition
In APA 7, for in-text citations with two authors, include both names. For three or more authors, cite the first author, followed by “et al.”
| Number of authors | In-text citation |
|---|---|
| 1–2 authors | (Ann & Smith, 2022) |
| 3+ authors | (Ali et al., 2020) |
Avoid using “et al.” in the reference list. Instead, list up to 20 authors in full. When there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19, followed by an ellipsis (…), and conclude with the last name:
Example: 21+ Author APA Reference Entry
Smith, U., Johnson, O., Davis, C., White, D., Robinson, Y., Allen, F., Baker, R., Carter, H., Turner, I., Phillips, J., Taylor, K., Lewis, M., Harris, N., Cooper, H., Ward, P., Bennett, V., Reed, R., Morris, S., Foster, L., … Turner, A.
Rules for 6th Edition
In APA 6, for sources with three to five authors, list all authors initially and subsequently use “et al.” For sources with six or more authors, employ “et al.” from the first citation.
| Number of authors | First citation | Subsequent citations |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 authors | (Ann, Johnson, Harris, Cooper, & Caulfield, 2020) | (Ann et al., 2020) |
| 6+ authors | (Ali et al., 2021) | (Ali et al., 2021) |
MLA Style
1. In-Text Citations
In MLA, “et al.” is used for in-text citations with three or more authors. Include the first author’s name followed by “et al.” and the page number.
Example: (Smith et al. 42)
2. Works Cited
In the Works Cited page, list all authors’ names in the order they appear in the source.
Example: Smith, John, et al. Title of the Book. Publisher, 2020.
Using et al. in MLA Style
In MLA style, consistently use “et al.” for sources with three or more authors, both in in-text citations and the Works Cited list.
| Number of authors | In-text citation example | Works cited example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 authors | (John and Davies) | John, Ann, and Robert Davies. … |
| 3+ authors | (Ali et al.) | Ali, Ann, et al. … |
It is important to note that in a narrative citation (where the author names are integrated into the main sentence and not enclosed in parentheses), MLA recommends not using “et al.” Instead, opt for an English equivalent such as “and colleagues.”
✔ Ali et al. (28) argue that …
❌ Ali and colleagues (28) argue that …
Chicago Style
In-Text Citations
In Chicago style, “et al.” is used for in-text citations with four or more authors. Include the first author’s name followed by “et al.” and the publication year.
Example: (Smith et al. 2020, 58)
Bibliography
In the bibliography, list all authors’ names in the order they appear in the source.
Example: Smith, John, Richard Johnson, et al. Title of the Book. Place of publication: Publisher, 2020.
Using et al. in Chicago Style
Chicago style includes two citation systems: notes and bibliography, and author-date style. The utilization of “et al.” is same in both styles.
For sources featuring one, two, or three authors, list all author names in your in-text citations (whether footnotes or author-date). In cases with four or more authors, use the first name followed by “et al.”
et al. in Chicago Style
| Number of authors | Footnote example | Author-date example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 authors | 1. Ann Smith and Robinson John, … | (Smith and John 2020) |
| 4+ authors | 2. Ali Hassan et al., … | Hassan et al., … |
In your Chicago style reference list or bibliography, list up to 10 authors. If a source exceeds 10 authors, enlist the first seven followed by “et al.”:
Example: Chicago bibliography entry with 11+ authors
Anderson, Samuel, Emily Turner, Olivia Harris, William Peterson, Chloe Clark, Daniel Foster, Isabella Ward, Ethan James, et al.
Common errors
Common errors to avoid when using “et al.” include:
Plural vs. Singular
When the “et al.” phrase is the subject, you must use a plural verb because the phrase ends with “et al.” and refers to a group of people.
- Correct: Ali et al. (2020) state that …
- Incorrect: Ali et al. (2020) states that …
Punctuation
When writing “Et al.” as two words, the “al” is always followed by a period. The term’s abbreviation is indicated by the period.
Where necessary, “et al.” may be directly followed by other punctuation, but the period always comes first:
- ❌ et al
- ❌ etal.
- ❌ et. al
- ❌ et. al.
- ✔ et al.
Example with other punctuation
Correct: (Ali et al., 2015)
Incorrect: (Ali et al 2015)
There is only one period needed when “et al.” comes at the end of a sentence
An example at the end of a sentence
Ali et al. have demonstrated that this is a time-consuming process.
The serial comma appears before “et al.” when it follows a list of two or more names. There shouldn’t be a comma used when there is only one name before it.
- ❌ Ali, et al.
- ✔ Ann, Ali, et al.
“et al.” vs. “etc.”
It is important to differentiate between “et al.” and “etc.” as the former is used for lists of things and concepts, while the latter is used for lists of people
Example: “Et al.” vs. “etc.”
Ali et al. (2022) discuss various identity considerations (gendered, racial, etc.) that may bias the results.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “et al.” in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles ensures your academic writing is not only accurate but also aligns with the specific guidelines of each citation style.
Following these rules will enhance the professionalism of your references, contributing to the overall quality of your scholarly work.
