The Grammar Guru /By Ellie Grossman
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Bonnie was throwing a surprise party for Ross, who’d just been promoted. Promptly at 4:00PM, Mary, Tyler, Moore, et al., entered the conference room, which was decorated with balloons, confetti, etc.
When everyone was assembled, Bonnie said, “Thank you for being on time. I told Ross we were having a budget meeting at 4:15PM, and you know how fussy Ross is about time, neatness, etc.”
“Tell me about it,” said Harris, who ran the mailroom. “I’m sorting the mail Tuesday, and Ross yells, ‘Stop!’ Then he tells me that number ten envelopes must go in one pile, magazines, in another, etc., etc.!” Harris added something under his breath, and the secretary near him chuckled.
Bonnie checked her watch. “Ross will be here in a minute.”
“He keeps saying that I wear too much makeup,” said Adrienne. “I think I’ll dash to the john and wash my face.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Phoebe. “Ross is always telling me to comb my hair.”
By the time Ross entered the conference room, Mary, Tyler, et al., had left, leaving crumpled decorations and a scrawled sign telling Ross what he could do with his promotion.
Remember: etc. = et cetera (Latin for “and so forth,” it refers to things.)
et al. = et alii (Latin for “and others,” it refers to people.)
When a sentence ends with etc. or et al., don’t add another period.
Quiz 1) Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were
sitting around heaven one day, when Leonardo sighed. “Critics say I did a careless job painting that Mona woman, but I gave her eyelashes, eyebrows, (et al./etc.) I can’t help it if paint fades.”
2) Ivana B. Rich liked imported truffles, peas, corn, (etc./et al.).
3) “We carry coffee in a variety of blends for a variety of people: governors, butchers, (etc./et al.),” said the ritzy grocer.
Answers 1) etc. (Michelangelo snorted. “Critics. I’d like
to see one of them paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel on his back in more than one color!”)
2) etc. (Ivana valued various veggies, along with high-end real estate.)
3) et al. (That’s a relief.)
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