and (etc)

"And etc." is redundant: "etc." already means "and other things," so adding "and" repeats the same idea.

Below: clear rules, punctuation notes, fixes you can copy, and many real-situation rewrites for work, school, and casual writing.

Quick answer

Drop the extra "and." Use "..., etc." or rewrite to "and other [noun]" / "and so on" when you need clarity or formality.

Correct (short): I packed notebooks, pens, etc.
Clearer (formal): I packed notebooks, pens, and other supplies.
Don't write: I packed notebooks, pens, and etc.

Why "and etc." is wrong

"Etc." is an abbreviation of the Latin et cetera, literally "and the rest." Adding "and" creates redundancy: you have two "ands" in one phrase.

Example of the mistake and a direct fix:

Wrong: I bought fruits, vegetables, and etc. for the party.
Right: I bought fruits, vegetables, etc. for the party.
Alternative (more specific): I bought fruits, vegetables, and other snacks for the party.

Punctuation and spacing rules

Keep punctuation predictable so sentences flow and read naturally.

Use the period in American English: write "etc." If your style guide prefers "etc" without a period, follow that guide.
If the sentence continues after the list, include a comma when the sentence's grammar calls for it: "plates, cups, etc., were moved." The comma follows the period in "etc."
Leave one space after "etc." unless it ends the sentence. Don't add extra spaces before or after.
Avoid starting a sentence with "Etc." Whenever possible, rewrite the sentence so the list finishes the clause.

Hyphenation and related forms

"Etc." is a closed abbreviation. Don't hyphenate it or split it across words.

Write "etc." (or "et cetera" spelled out). Don't write "et-cetera" or "et cettera."
Write "and so on" as three separate words. You can use "and so on" as a non-abbreviated alternative-no hyphen.
When in doubt, use the dictionary or your style guide's standard form.

How to fix a sentence (quick checklist)

Fixing the problem usually takes one of three approaches:

Remove the extra "and" and keep "etc.": notebooks, pens, etc.
Replace "etc." with a clearer phrase: notebooks, pens, and other supplies.
Expand the list if readers need specifics: notebooks, pens, highlighters, and folders.

After the change, read the whole sentence to check tone and flow-sometimes a fuller rewrite reads best.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

Wrong: The migration looks and etc by Friday.
Right: The migration looks etc by Friday.
Wrong: The final draft needs edits and etc before submission.
Right: The final draft needs edits, etc. before submission.
Wrong: We'll bring plates, cups, and etc to the picnic.
Right: We'll bring plates, cups, etc. to the picnic.

Work examples

Wrong: Finish the report, slides, and etc by Monday.
Right: Finish the report, slides, etc. by Monday.
Wrong: Prepare budgets, forecasts, and etc for the meeting.
Right: Prepare budgets, forecasts, and other figures for the meeting.
Wrong: The release includes UI updates, backend fixes, and etc.
Right: The release includes UI updates, backend fixes, etc.

School examples

Wrong: Read chapters 3, 4, and etc before class.
Right: Read chapters 3, 4, etc. before class.
Wrong: Study verbs, nouns, and etc for the test.
Right: Study verbs, nouns, and other grammar topics for the test.
Wrong: Bring pencils, erasers, and etc to the exam.
Right: Bring pencils, erasers, etc. to the exam.

Casual examples

Wrong: I bought milk, bread, and etc from the store.
Right: I bought milk, bread, etc. from the store.
Wrong: We'll need towels, soap, and etc for the trip.
Right: We'll need towels, soap, and other toiletries for the trip.
Wrong: Dinner, movie, and etc this weekend?
Right: Dinner, movie, etc. this weekend?

Three rewrite examples

Original: The assignment is unclear and etc.
Rewrite: The assignment is unclear, etc.
Original: Bring pens, calculators, and etc.
Rewrite: Bring pens, calculators, and other materials.
Original: The package contains screws, bolts, and etc.
Rewrite: The package contains screws, bolts, etc.

A simple memory trick

Think of "etc." as one compact idea: it already says "and." Visualize the abbreviation as a single unit-"etc."-that stands for "and the rest." If you hear an extra "and" in your head, remove it on the page.

Train yourself to spot "and etc." in drafts and replace it in bulk.
When unsure, rewrite to "and other [noun]" for clarity.

Similar mistakes to watch for

One mistake can signal other form or spacing issues nearby. A quick scan often catches multiple problems.

Split or misspelled abbreviations (e.g., "e g" instead of "e.g.")
Hyphen confusion in multiword expressions
Unnecessary repeated words or conjunctions
Mixing informal shorthand with formal lists

FAQ

Is "and etc." actually grammatically incorrect?

It's redundant. In formal writing it's considered sloppy. Drop the "and" or rewrite for clarity.

Should I write "etc." with a period?

In American English, yes: "etc." Some British guides omit the period. Follow your style guide. Leave one space after it unless it ends the sentence.

Can I use "and so on" instead?

Yes. "And so on" is a fine alternative, especially in speech or casual writing. In formal prose, prefer "and other [noun]" when specificity matters.

Do I need a comma after "etc."?

If the sentence requires a comma after the list, place it after the period in "etc.": "plates, cups, etc., were moved." If the sentence ends with "etc.," no extra comma is needed.

How can I find every "and etc." in a long document?

Search for "and etc" (case-insensitive). For each hit, remove the extra "and," replace "etc." with "and other [noun]," or expand the list as needed.

Need sentence-level suggestions?

Scan your draft for "and etc." and apply the checklist: remove the extra "and," substitute "and other [noun]," or fully expand the list. Most fixes are quick and improve clarity immediately.