What does et al mean in APA is a frequent question for students and researchers who need to cite sources correctly according to the American Psychological Association style. The abbreviation et al. stands for the Latin phrase et alii (or et alia), meaning “and others.” In APA formatting, it streamlines in‑text citations when a work has three or more authors, allowing writers to reference the first author followed by et al. instead of listing every name each time. Understanding when and how to apply this convention not only keeps your paper tidy but also ensures compliance with APA’s 7th‑edition guidelines, which stress clarity and consistency in scholarly communication Practical, not theoretical..
Understanding the Origin and Meaning of et al.
The term *et al.Practically speaking, * comes from Latin, where et means “and” and ali (or alia) is the plural form of “other. * in a citation, it signals that additional contributors exist beyond the name shown. ” When you see *et al.Although the phrase is Latin, APA treats it as an English abbreviation, so it is not italicized and is followed by a period.
Key points to remember:
- et al. = “and others”
- Only used for works with three or more authors in APA 7th edition
- The period after al. is required; no period after et because it is not an abbreviation
APA Guidelines for Using et al. in In‑Text Citations
APA’s 7th edition simplifies author formatting compared to earlier versions. The rule is straightforward:
| Number of authors | First in‑text citation | Subsequent citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1‑2 authors | List all names each time | List all names each time |
| 3+ authors | First author et al. (year) | First author et al. (year) |
This is where a lot of people lose the thread.
Step‑by‑step process
- Count the authors on the source.
- If the source has three or more authors, write the surname of the first author followed by a comma, a space, et al., another space, and the publication year in parentheses.
- If the source has one or two authors, list every author’s surname each time you cite the work.
- Place the citation either parenthetically at the end of the sentence or narratively within the sentence, depending on your writing style.
Example (parenthetical):
(Smith, et al., 2022)
Example (narrative):
Smith et al. (2022) found that…
When to Use et al. in the Reference List
Unlike in‑text citations, the reference list requires full transparency. APA 7th edition mandates that you list up to twenty authors fully; only when a source has 21 or more authors do you truncate the list with an ellipsis and then add the final author’s name. That said, in that case, *et al. * is not used in the reference entry.
Reference list rules:
- 2–20 authors: Include every author’s surname and initials, separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the last author.
- 21+ authors: List the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (…), then add the final author’s name. No et al. appears.
Example (20 authors):
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., Author, C. C., … Author, T. T. (Year). Title. Source.
Example (21+ authors):
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., Author, C. C., … Author, U. U. (Year). Title. Source The details matter here..
Practical Examples
In‑text citations
| Source | First citation | Subsequent citations |
|---|---|---|
| One author: (Taylor, 2021) | Taylor (2021) | Taylor (2021) |
| Two authors: (Taylor & Morgan, 2021) | Taylor and Morgan (2021) | Taylor and Morgan (2021) |
| Three+ authors: (Taylor, et al., 2021) | Taylor et al. (2021) | Taylor et al. |
Reference list entries
-
Two authors:
Taylor, J. L., & Morgan, S. K. (2021). Understanding cognitive bias. Academic Press. -
Three authors:
Taylor, J. L., Morgan, S. K., & Lee, A. P. (2021). Understanding cognitive bias. Academic Press Practical, not theoretical.. -
Twenty authors: (list all nineteen then the twentieth)
Taylor, J. L., Morgan, S. K., Lee, A. P., … Nguyen, T. V. (2021). Understanding cognitive bias. Academic Press Simple as that.. -
Twenty‑one+ authors:
Taylor, J. L., Morgan, S. K., Lee, A. P., … Zamora, L. R. (2021). Understanding cognitive bias. Academic Press And it works..
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced writers slip up when applying et al. Below are frequent errors paired with corrective tips.
| Mistake | Why it’s wrong | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Using *et al.Still, * for a two‑author work | APA requires both names for 1‑2 authors | List both authors each time |
| Forgetting the period after *al. Consider this: * | *et al. * is an abbreviation; the period signals it | Write et al. (not et al) |
| Italicizing *et al.In practice, * | APA treats it as a regular English abbreviation | Keep it in regular font |
| Applying *et al. Here's the thing — * in the reference list for 3‑20 authors | Reference list must show all names (up to 20) | List every author; use *et al. * only if 21+ authors |
| Placing a comma before et al. incorrectly | The comma belongs after the first author’s surname, not before et | Format: *FirstAuthor, et al. |
Tip: When in doubt, count the authors first, then apply the rule: 1‑2 = all names; 3+ = first author + et al. for in‑text citations; reference list = full list up to 20, ellipsis method for 21+.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Q1: Can I use *et
