Is there any difference in using etc or ellipsis when listing examples?





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When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?



What I mean, is there any difference between




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)




and




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?




Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.










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  • 1





    When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.

    – John Lawler
    3 hours ago











  • Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?

    – matronator
    3 hours ago


















0















When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?



What I mean, is there any difference between




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)




and




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?




Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.










share|improve this question









New contributor




matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.

    – John Lawler
    3 hours ago











  • Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?

    – matronator
    3 hours ago














0












0








0








When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?



What I mean, is there any difference between




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)




and




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?




Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.










share|improve this question









New contributor




matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












When listing a couple of examples in parentheses, is there any difference between using etc and using three dots to indicate "more like this" at the end?



What I mean, is there any difference between




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, ...)




and




(...) to cover basic cost of living (food, water, etc.)?




Are both valid to use? Is one preferred over the other and if so, why? Are there any specific situations when one is more appropriate? I tried searching here and on Google but couldn't find anything or couldn't form the question/query properly.







abbreviations syntax lists






share|improve this question









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matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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share|improve this question









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edited 3 hours ago









Chappo

2,93351425




2,93351425






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asked 3 hours ago









matronatormatronator

11




11




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matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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matronator is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1





    When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.

    – John Lawler
    3 hours ago











  • Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?

    – matronator
    3 hours ago














  • 1





    When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.

    – John Lawler
    3 hours ago











  • Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?

    – matronator
    3 hours ago








1




1





When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.

– John Lawler
3 hours ago





When you use etc, you're committing yourself to the proposition that there is some principle (even if you don't or can't state it) that will allow addressees to pick out the next elements in the list. But when you just use ellipsis dots, you're making no predictions or commitments, and addition of further items is entirely up to the addressees.

– John Lawler
3 hours ago













Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?

– matronator
3 hours ago





Ah, so if I wanted to assure the best understanding/clarity of the text (what sort of examples I have in mind), it would be better to use etc, did I get it right?

– matronator
3 hours ago










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