If you’ve written an academic paper, you’ve probably seen "et al." in citations, but it can be confusing. I’ve been there, wondering if I’m using it right or if it needs a period. Don’t worry, though, because I’ll explain how to use et al in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. I’ll also show you how to type it properly and avoid common mistakes. By the end, you’ll be confident with your citations and have a handy tool to streamline your writing.
Apply et al. Correctly in APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles
One of the biggest challenges when writing an academic paper is how to type et al and knowing how to apply it according to the citation style you’re working with. Here’s a quick breakdown on how to use et al:
APA Style:
In APA 7th edition, for in-text citations, you list both authors when there are only two authors. But when there are three or more authors, you cite only the first author followed by “et al.” Let’s look at some examples on how to write et al in APA:
(Smith & Johnson, 2020) (for two authors)
(Smith et al., 2020) (for three or more authors)
If you are confused about how to put in-text citations into your academic paper in APA then click here to see a step by step guide guiding you from start from finish. Otherwise it should be clear by now how to use et al apa.
MLA Style:
In MLA style, always use “et al.” for sources with three or more authors. This applies to both MLA in-text citations and the Works Cited list. For example:
(Smith et al. 45)
In a narrative citation (where the author names are part of the main sentence and not in parentheses), MLA style specifies that you should not use “et al.” Instead, you should use an English equivalent, such as “and colleagues.”
If there is still confusion on the structure or format of a MLA style paper or citations then follow our guide here to simplify the process.
Example:
McDonnell et al. (37) argue that...
McDonnell and colleagues (37) argue that...
Chicago Style:
Chicago style has two systems of citation: notes and bibliography and author-date style. The use of “et al.” is different in both systems.
For sources with one, two, or three authors, list all author names in your in-text citations (whether footnotes or author-date). For sources with four or more authors, use the first author's name followed by “et al.”
Examples:
Smith, Johnson, and Lee, … found that... (for one to three authors in author-date)
Smith et al., …. discuss the impact of climate change... (for four or more authors in author-date)
In your Chicago style reference list or bibliography, list up to 10 authors. If a source has more than 10 authors, list the first seven followed by “et al.”:
Examples:
McDonnell, Frederick, Molly Davidson, Jessica Singh, Ronald Clobus, Robert Davies, Anne Eliot, Harold Peters, et al.
Why It Works:
Following the citation style’s rules ensures your academic credibility and avoids penalties for formatting errors. Keeping everything consistent also makes it easier to track your sources when you revisit them later.
Writer Tip:
If you’re using citation software like Zotero or Word, it’s helpful to see how these tools handle "et al." according to the different styles. Sometimes, these tools can take the guesswork out of formatting, ensuring your citations are always correct.
How to Write and Type et al. Properly
When it comes to typing et al., a few simple guidelines can save you a lot of hassle.
Step 1: Always include a period after "al." as it’s short for a Latin term.
Step 2: In both APA and MLA, et al. is never italicized
Step 3: In Word or Google Docs, if you’re working with long citations, you might run into a situation where "et al." gets split across two lines. To avoid this, use a non-breaking space (Ctrl+Shift+Space in Word) so that “et al.” stays together on the same line.
Step 4: The most common typos I’ve seen are "et. al" and "et. al.", both of which are incorrect. The proper format is "et al." with no extra periods.
Why It Helps:
Correct formatting is crucial. If you’ve ever had a paper marked down for something as small as a punctuation error, you’ll appreciate the value of getting this right. Plus, proper formatting helps avoid being flagged by plagiarism detection tools.
Writer Tip:
I’ve used citation tools like EndNote and Mendeley, and when configured properly, they can automatically ensure that "et al." is correctly formatted. It’s one less thing to worry about when you’re juggling a busy workload.
If you don't want to get confused searching different guides on every single question then click here to see our guide on how to write an academic paper in APA style from start to finish.
Common Mistakes When Using et al.—And How to Avoid Them
We all make mistakes, some of them are just more noticeable in academic writing. Here are a few common blunders I’ve seen and how to correct them:
Mistake 1: Using et al. for Just Two Authors
This is a huge one. "Et al." is only used for three or more authors. If you’re citing a work by two authors, you list both of them there’s no "et al." needed. I was browsing through Reddit the other day, and I came across this line:
"In the study by Smith et al. and Johnson (2020)..."
Now, this is a classic mistake. "Et al." should only be used when you’re dealing with three or more authors. When there are just two, both names should be listed. So, the correct way to write this would be:
"In the study by Smith and Johnson (2020)..."
Easy fix, right? Just remember, no "et al." for two authors.
Mistake 2: Writing "et al’s" Instead of "Smith et al.’s"
When showing possession, use “Smith et al.’s” instead of “et al’s.” It’s easy to forget, but this makes a big difference in ensuring your writing is grammatically correct.
This one comes up a lot, and it’s easy to miss! I came across this mistake on a forum:
"Smith et al’s (2020) research shows that..."
This is an error because you should never use an apostrophe with "et al." unless you're forming the possessive. The correct way to write it is:
"Smith et al.’s (2020) research shows that..."
The key difference here is that "et al." is referring to multiple authors, and the possessive form is applied directly after the "et al.", not after the "et al" itself. So, no need to add an apostrophe after "et al." unless you're referring to something that belongs to those authors, like their research.
Mistake 3: Mixing et al. with Etc. or Using it in Informal Emails
"Et al." is a formal abbreviation used in academic writing. I’ve seen some people throw it into emails or informal writing, like "Hi John et al."—this is wrong. In casual writing, just use "everyone" or "team."
I saw this casual misuse of "et al." in an email by a colleague of mine:
"I met with Smith et al. to discuss the project."
But here’s the problem: "Et al." is for formal academic writing, not casual conversations. In informal contexts, you should say:
"I met with Smith and others to discuss the project."
Save "et al." for formal citations in your academic writing, and use "and others" in casual situations.
Why It Helps:
Getting these nuances right makes you look more professional and avoids making careless errors that can be penalized in academic settings.
Writer Tip:
To help remember the correct usage, think of "et al." as a special tool in your citation toolkit, it’s only there for works with multiple authors. Keep it in the right context, and you’ll avoid the confusion that comes with misusing it.
Stay Organized and Productive with WPS Office After Formatting Your Paper
Once you’ve got your citations nailed down, the next step is managing the rest of your paper. That’s where WPS Office really shines. It’s not just a word processor, it’s a complete suite of tools designed to help you write, format, and collaborate with ease. Whether you're working on an essay, a research paper, or even a group project, WPS Office has everything you need to streamline your writing process.
Benefits:
1. Citation Templates for APA, MLA, Chicago: WPS Office offers pre-built citation templates for all major styles, saving time by automatically formatting your references correctly.
2. Lightweight and Fast: Even on older systems, WPS Office runs smoothly, ensuring you can focus on writing without worrying about slow performance.
3. AI for Formatting and Summarizing: WPS Office’s AI tools help check your formatting and summarize research, making your writing process more efficient and error-free.
4. Complete Suite for Writing, Editing, and Submission: WPS Office integrates Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, and PDF tools, making it easy to write, edit, and submit your academic work, all in one place.
I’ve been using WPS Office for a while now, and I can honestly say it’s made a huge difference in how I manage my academic work. I used it recently to work on a research paper, and the citation templates made the process so much smoother. Instead of wasting time fiddling with formatting, I just plugged in my sources, and WPS did the rest. When I worked on a group project last semester, the collaborative features were a game-changer. We all worked on the same document in real-time, and it kept everything consistent, especially the references. Plus, the ability to convert the document into a PDF with just a click made submitting it incredibly easy. WPS Office really has everything I need to stay organized and get my work done efficiently.
FAQs
Q1: Does et al. need to be italicized?
No. Et al. is written in regular font in APA, MLA, and most styles unless otherwise specified.
Q2: Is et al correct?
Technically no. Use “Smith et al.’s” if you need a possessive form.
Q3: Can I use et al. in emails or casual writing?
It’s best reserved for formal citations. In emails, use “team” or “everyone.”
Q4: Do citation tools add et al. automatically?
Yes, tools like WPS Office, Zotero, and Mendeley can insert et al. correctly based on the citation style you choose.
Mastering 'et al.' in Academic Writing: Streamline Your Citations with WPS Office
Knowing how to use et al correctly is crucial for formal academic writing, especially when citing works with multiple authors. By following the rules for APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, being mindful of common mistakes, and utilizing citation tools like WPS Office, you’ll streamline your process and avoid errors. WPS Office is a powerful ally in this task, offering templates and AI features that make the writing and editing process smoother. Happy writing!
