can etc be used in an essay

9 Better Ways to Say “Etc.” in Formal Writing (Essays)

“Etc.” is a very common abbreviation in most forms of writing. It would help to know whether it’s an acceptable form or not. This article will look into some better alternatives that you might be able to use in formal writing (on top of whether “etc.” is acceptable).

The preferred versions are “etc.,” “et cetera,” and to “reword the sentence.” Funnily enough, “etc.” is in itself a good alternative because it is already more than suitable in formal writing. The others are also suitable, depending on the situation that “etc.” may appear.

“Etc.” is already a useful abbreviation in formal writing. There isn’t much of a reason why you can’t use it. As long as you can guarantee that your reader understands what the rest of your list contains, you’ll be able to use this one effectively.

• The lemons, apples, etc., have all been removed from the store shelves to make way for the new treats.
• You can refer to Lemmings 101, Foreword 20, etc., to find out more about these problems. They have manifested in many areas.
• I have visited many impoverished countries (Chad, Benegal, Niger, etc.), but I have never come across one as in need like this one.

If you’re worried about using an abbreviation, you can always use “et cetera.” It’s the long-form version of “etc.,” allowing you to show that there is more to a list without having to list the exact entities.

Some people think this form sounds a bit jarring. It’s almost always better to use “etc.,” which is why there is an abbreviated form in the first place.

• I want to talk to you about the birds, the bees, et cetera. I think it’s worth knowing about them to understand more about life itself.
• She wanted to go there to dance, swim, et cetera. I didn’t understand the need to do any of that, but I followed with her nonetheless.
• You will be able to find cars, bikes, boats, et cetera along the canal path. It’s worth checking out if you’re into those types of things.

Reword The Sentence

One of the best alternatives to “etc.” is to try and find a way to remove it completely. Some people like to remove it from their formal writing because they don’t want to take for granted what their readers may or may not know about a list or situation.

Instead of using “etc.,” it’s better to reword a sentence to contain only the most valuable members of the group. You usually only need to list two or three things before ending the sentence. “Etc.” becomes redundant in most cases.

• These results have made it clear that birds such as robins and doves are most affected by the changes in the local environment.
• As you can see, the currency exchange rates and the stock markets have all been affected by this source.
• I want to talk to her about the ice cream flavors. Both chocolate and vanilla seem to be the best ones, but I want her to help me out.

“And so on” is one of the more informal phrases. It’s not always used in formal writing, though there is no reason why it can’t be. Most people steer clear of it just in case it is misconstrued as a more informal construct.

At the end of the day, “and so on” is synonymous with “etc.” It’s possible to use it in all overlapping situations, so there are plenty of reasons why “and so on” might get used.

• The cars, bikes, and so on all have to be registered with the appropriate authorities. You can’t keep getting away with this.
• These results have found a need for solar energy, nuclear power, and so on. This should be more than enough to go on as we move forward.
• The rats feasted on seeds, corn, and so on from the stores that we had provided. I was quite surprised they managed to eat it all.

And The Rest

“And the rest” is another more informal choice. It’s similar to “and so on,” but “the rest” refers to the other things that might be worked out from the context.

You should make sure that this one (and all the others on the list) is only used when you are certain that a reader understands “the rest.” You need to make “the rest” of the list clear through the context if you’re not going to directly state it.

• The apples, pears, and the rest have all been sitting around for a long time without anyone so much as looking at them.
• I want to investigate the effect of the sun on the growth rate, age rate, and the rest when directly in contact with plants like this one.
• It’s going to be used to look into the energy of the unit, the system, and the rest. We should have a much better understanding after this.

“Et al.” is a Latin abbreviation that works well when you’re introducing a group of names. It’s only ever used to introduce names, and it’s a very common, formal phrase that is used when multiple people have worked on the same academic or formal paper.

“Et al.” is Latin for “et alia” (meaning “and others”). It’s very similar to using “and co.” in today’s world. It’s just a way of showing that a group much larger than the listed names has worked on a product or publication.

Often, only the most notable names will be listed. Every name after that will be grouped into the “et al.” category.

• You’re going to want the one published by Markinson et al. It’s going to have all the information you need about this situation.
• The experiment book is entitled Robison, Peters, et al. They have a lot of information published for the public to use in these cases.
• I want to find Fred et al. It should be somewhere in this section, though I’m not entirely certain what I’m looking for.

Along With Others

“Along with others” is a good way of introducing groups of people. It’s useful when you want to show that multiple people worked on the same thing, and it’s very similar to how “et al.” works. The only difference is that it is English rather than Latin.

It’s quite restrictive in how it can be used. It is still best to use this one when you’re referring to groups of people, just like how “et al.” works.

• Along with others, Steven has managed to work on a system that should revolutionize the way we can do all of these things.
• Mark, along with others, has published his first academic paper. It’s quite remarkable, and I really suggest you read it to learn more.
• Along with others, Sarah’s issues have been presented in the newspaper today. I was quite pleased to see them gaining traction.

And The Like

“And the like” isn’t as popular in most formal publications. Nevertheless, it’s still good to use when you want to show that a common group is formed. If you believe that it’s easy for the reader to work out what the group is referencing, you might be able to use this one.

• The birds, lizards, and the like have all had adverse reactions to the situation on the ground level. It’s not ideal, and it needs to be stopped.
• Peter, David, and the like are all coming along later to help us out with this. It should be enough to get us out of this tricky part.
• I want to investigate the life, death, and the like of plants. I think their life cycle is almost identical to what I’m trying to study here.

Amongst Others

“Amongst others” goes back to the idea of “et al.” and how it works. It’s very commonly used when someone is a part of a larger group. You might also be able to use this one less specifically, allowing it to refer to people, objects, and situations.

“Et al.” is usually only for people. “Amongst others” has the freedom of being about many different things.

Again, you should only use it when you’re confident that the reader will be able to work out the “others” from the context of your writing.

• Sam, amongst others, was in charge of getting these drafts out. There should be enough out there to go on right now.
• I want it done by Peter and David, amongst others. Let me know if they have any issues with it. I want them to help us with this.
• Amongst others, the situation in Philadelphia is something that I’m trying to remedy. You’ll have to be patient with me, though.

Can You Use “Etc.” In an Essay?

You can use “etc.” in an essay, and most people use it well when creating a list. It is a formal phrase in itself. Even though it is an abbreviation, it is common in formal writing. You may use it to extend a list without stating the objects inside it.

You may also like: Etcetera or Et cetera? Here’s the correct spelling (+10 EXAMPLES) How to Use “Etc.” at the End of a Sentence (Period or Not?)

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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14 Other Ways to Say “Etc.” in Formal Writing

You’re looking for a way to make an open list in an essay, but is “etc.” an appropriate term to use in formal writing?

We’re here to answer that question while also providing a list of alternative phrases that you can use to keep your professor pleased!

Other Ways to Say “Etc.”

• Among others
• And such others
• And the like
• Continuing the same way
• And what have you
• And so forth
• And the rest
• And all the rest
• Among other things

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• You can use “etc.” sparingly in an academic paper, but many grammar and academic authorities advise against doing so at all.
• To rephrase your sentence, you can use the phrase “among others” instead of “etc.”
• Another good synonym with which to end an open list is “and so on.”

Don’t click away! We still need to discuss our favorite alternatives to “etc.” in more detail. Moreover, we’ll provide some useful examples using each.

After that, we’ll discuss whether you can use “etc.” in an academic essay. If so, how?

Among Others

If you’re looking for a different way to say “etc.” in your academic writing, we would recommend the phrase “among others” instead.

“Among others” is a better phrase to use than “etc.” in formal writing .

Firstly, it can be used at the end of a list to show that it is not a closed list, much like the original term.

Secondly, this phrase is not abbreviated, making it less informal . As a rule of thumb for essays, it’s always good to write things out for clarity. Therefore, one should never assume that the reader already knows about the topic, which is what a term like “etc.” might imply.

Finally, to see this synonym in action, let’s look at a snippet from a faux research paper or two:

For the purposes of this paper, we studied the impacts of our modified “pollen-like” solution on the digestive tracts of winged insects, including butterflies, moths, beetles, and bees, among others.

It was noted that the following symptoms, among others , were shared in patients who had been in contact with radiation: fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.

If you’re wondering what to say instead of “etc.” when you don’t want to write out an entire list in an essay, “and so on” is an effective alternative.

This synonym is more similar to “etc.,” as it implies that the reader already knows what else would appear on a particular list. Thus, there is no need to include everything.

However, this synonym is a better phrase to use in an essay. After all, people often use the abbreviation “etc.” incorrectly, so a phrase like this is significantly clearer.

Consider the following examples to see what we mean:

The CEO was advised to re-evaluate the company’s onboarding scheme, which included a larger recruitment team, more thorough training, and so on .

The impacts of AI are being seen across multiple commercial industries, including marketing, advertising, legal, and so on .

Can You Use “Etc.” in Formal Writing?

You can use “etc.” in formal writing . However, most academic and grammar authorities advise against doing so. After all, it is very easy to overuse and misuse this term.

For example, you should not use “etc.” after a single example or in the middle of a sentence. The proper way to say “etc.” is to use it at the end of an indefinite list . Moreover, the list should include only things that are of the same type. Here’s an example:

• Correct : We tested on various winged insects, such as butterflies, moths, skippers, etc.
• Incorrect : The parents of our participants were asked to supply stationery, blankets, identification documents, etc.

In other words, you should only use “etc.” where the reader can assume what else would go on the list. As the list in the second example is so broad, it is inappropriate to use “etc.”

While you can generally use “etc.” in lists or tables, most academics consider it informal . Therefore, you should avoid using it in narrative essays or papers that are not scientific in nature. Thus, we would recommend rephrasing your sentence using one of the synonyms in our list.

In conclusion, “etc.” is an informal term that you should only use sparingly and cautiously in academic writing. In fact, most authorities urge you to avoid using it at all.

Therefore, if you think you might need our list of synonyms on hand for your next paper, feel free to bookmark this page!

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How to Correctly Use the Term ‘Etc.’ in Your Writing

3-minute read

• 23rd January 2022

Etc. is the abbreviation of the Latin term et cetera , which means and the rest or and other things like that . People often make mistakes with etc. , so in this post, we’ll guide you through the rules to follow when using this term in your writing .

When Should You Use Etc.?

Etc. is used to indicate that a list is not complete:

In the first example, the category of items in the list (sports) is specified. The second sentence doesn’t define the category, but the things named in the list make it clear that it refers to unhealthy foods. Both of these uses of etc. are correct.

When Should You Avoid Etc.?

Etc. should not be used in the following situations:

●  When there isn’t a clear connection between the listed items:

Etc. doesn’t work here because the link between the things listed is not obvious enough. Remember that etc. means and similar things , so if the similarity isn’t clear, you shouldn’t use etc.

●  When you have mentioned every possible item in the list:

There is no need for etc. in this sentence because readers would find it difficult to think of anything to add to this list.

●  When you have introduced the list with “ e.g.,” “ for instance,” or something similar:

Etc. is redundant here because the use of e.g. , meaning for example , indicates that the list is incomplete. You could remove either e.g. or etc. to make the sentence correct.

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●  When you are introducing a list of people:

If you are referring to a group of humans, you should use et al. rather than etc.

●  When you’ve used it once already:

One etc. at a time is always enough!

How Do You Punctuate Etc.?

In American English, etc. always has a period. However, if it comes at the end of a sentence, you don’t need to add another one:

But if a question mark or exclamation point is required, you should include this as well as the period:

You should always place a comma before etc. (i.e., after the last item in the list), but you don’t usually need a comma after etc.:

Summary: How to Use ‘Etc.’

Etc. is used to show that a list is not exhaustive. Because it means and other similar things , you should only use it when it will be obvious to the reader what other things the list could infer. Moreover, you should never use etc. if you have already indicated that the list is incomplete (e.g. by using for example or such as ).

To avoid misusing etc. and other Latin terms ( et al., viz., etc.) , it’s always worth having your writing proofread by a professional . At Proofed, our team is available around the clock (i.e., a.m. and p.m.!), so we can return your work within 24 hours. Try us out for free today!

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Understanding "etc" Meaning: Usage and Examples

Ah, "etc." – those three little letters you've likely encountered countless times while reading, writing, or conversing. But have you ever stopped to ponder their true meaning and significance?

In this article, we'll explore the multifaceted word "etc." Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery as we unravel the mysteries behind this seemingly simple abbreviation.

What Does "etc." Stand For?

"etc." is short for the Latin phrase "et cetera," which translates to "and other things" or "and so forth." It indicates that additional items, details, or examples could be included in a list or series but have been omitted for brevity or clarity.

Usage of "etc" in Sentences

In sentences, "etc" is placed at the end to signal that there are more things of the same type that have not been mentioned. For example:

• She loves to travel to exotic destinations like Bali, Thailand, Greece, etc.
• The store sells various items, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, etc.
• Add ingredients such as flour, sugar, eggs, etc.
• The study focused on various factors affecting climate change, such as deforestation, industrial emissions, population growth, etc.

When to Use "etc" Correctly

It's essential to use "etc" sparingly and only when the additional items are understood or implied by the context. Overusing "etc" can make writing vague or incomplete. It's best to reserve it for informal writing or lists where brevity is key.

In essence, "etc" is a handy abbreviation that saves space and time in writing by indicating that there are more examples or items than the ones explicitly mentioned. By understanding its meaning and usage, you can effectively incorporate it into your writing to convey completeness and continuity.

Ready to elevate your writing? Our content writing agency offers expert services to enhance your content, optimize for SEO, and ensure unlimited revisions. Check us out here for exceptional writing assistance!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "etc" stand for.

"Etc" is short for the Latin phrase "et cetera," meaning "and the rest" or "and so on."

Is it acceptable to use "etc" in formal writing?

While "etc" is generally more suitable for informal writing, it can be used sparingly in formal contexts when appropriate.

Can "etc" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

It's generally not recommended to start a sentence with "etc" as it can make the sentence seem incomplete or abrupt.

How do you pronounce "etc"?

"Etc" is pronounced as "et cetera," with the stress on the first syllable.

Are there alternatives to using "etc"?

Yes, alternatives include phrases like "and so forth," "and others," or simply listing out specific examples without using an abbreviation.

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• English Grammar

How to Use "Etc." Correctly

Last Updated: December 21, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 932,003 times.

You might think that it's easy to use et cetera , which translates to "and others" or, more literally, "and the other things", and is abbreviated as "etc." Surely everyone knows how to use "etc." correctly, right? Well, it's not all straightforward–– et cetera can be commonly misspelled, improperly punctuated and even mispronounced! The use of et cetera isn't usually taught in schools or tutoring because it's considered to be just an abbreviation. Regardless, it's important to know how to use it properly. See Step 1 to get started.

• For example, you can say, "We could use cupcakes, cookies, etc." This shows that they can use any kind of dessert, and it could be rewritten by, "We could use cupcakes, cookies, and so on."
• However, you cannot say, "Bring hamburger buns, paper plates, cupcakes, etc.", because the items on the list are not the same and the person you're talking to would not know what you are referring to.
• Items of the same class do not need to be physical items. They can be emotions, or other forms of "things." For example, you could say, "Please write down your three primary emotions today (sadness, anger, fear, etc.)"

• Be careful how you pronounce et cetera . If you're in the habit of saying "ek-SET-ra", it's time to kick out the "k" sound! The real pronunciation is "eht-SEHT-er-uh." [6] X Research source

• "They ate cookies, cakes, peanuts, fairy floss, etc., and it's little wonder they ended up with stomach aches."

• Put a question mark after the period in "etc."
• Put an exclamation point immediately after the period.
• Put the semicolon in right after the period and put a space between it and the next word.
• Put parentheses around the items you are using along with etc. when necessary. For example: "Students should not pack liquids in their carry-on bags (water, shampoo, makeup remover, etc.)"

The Takeaway: Using Etc. Properly

Use "etc." as a substitute for "and so on" and also when referring to similar items within a list. If you're using "etc." in the middle of a sentence, follow it with a comma. Put any other concluding punctuation (like a question mark) right after the period.

Community Q&A

• Use your best judgement when using et cetera . Sometimes, writing the words "and so on" or typing "..." can be more appropriate or may simply look better in the context. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Learn the other possibilities for saying the same thing as et cetera . You could say, "and so on", but you could also write "...". Whichever way you use, it will serve the same purpose and will work to convey the correct meaning. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• According to William Strunk in the canonical text, The Elements of Style , "etc." is "equivalent to and the rest, and so forth, and hence not to be used if one of these would be insufficient, that is, if the reader would be left in doubt as to any important particulars." By this definition, you shouldn't use "etc." unless the person you're addressing would know exactly which item or items you're referring to, but most people today would find this definition a bit extreme. The objection here is that "etc." is not precise enough, and should therefore be avoided. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• While the rule is not always observed, et cetera is usually used for things. For omission of a list of people, et alii, or et al. is preferred. The same punctuation rules apply, except that there is always a space in et al. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 2

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etcetera
• ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/etc
• ↑ https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2guides/guides/wrtps/index-eng.html?lang=eng&lettr=indx_catlog_e&page=9qbnz5ZJv1tw.html
• ↑ http://grammarist.com/usage/et-cetera-etc/
• ↑ http://grammarist.com/usage/et-al/
• ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pronunciation/english/et-cetera
• http://grammarist.com/usage/et-cetera-etc/

About This Article

To use "etc." correctly, use it in instances where you would say "and so forth." For example, if you are making a list of possible desserts and want to express that there could be more items than the ones you have listed, write "cakes, cupcakes, ice cream, etc." Do not use "etc." more than once and do not use "etc." to refer to people. Try to avoid using "etc." if you already have a comprehensive list and there is actually nothing to add. For more instances of when to use and when to avoid "etc.," keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > What’s ‘etc.’ an abbreviation of (and what does it mean)?

What’s ‘etc.’ an abbreviation of (and what does it mean)?

You’ve probably seen “etc.” used countless times, but do you know what it means and how to use it correctly? Mastering this frequently used abbreviation is a must for excellent reading comprehension and writing—after all, you don’t want to confuse your readers.

What does “etc.” mean?

While Latin is considered a dead language, its influence still lives on in English. “Etc.” is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “et cetera.” In Latin, “et” means “and.” The word “cetera” means “the rest.” It’s pronounced, “et SET uh ruh.” The abbreviation “etc.” is used more frequently in writing than the full phrase.

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“Etc.” can be used at the end of a list to mean “and so forth” or to represent additional unspecified additional items or persons. 1 This common phrase is favored by writers, so they don’t have to list everything they are referring to.

How to use “etc.” in a sentence

While using “etc.” in a sentence, or even if you are writing out the full phrase “et cetera,” it’s important to only use it after listing items that are in the same category. Otherwise, your sentence will be confusing. “Etc.” must also always have a period at the end of it, even if “etc.” is inserted in the middle of a sentence. Here are sentences that use “etc.” incorrectly:

Please bring caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, water, etc.

This sentence incorrectly uses “etc.” because water does not fall under the category of caffeinated beverages.

She loves wine, like cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, beer, etc.

The sentence above does not use “etc.” correctly because beer is not a type of wine.

It’s also important to note that “etc.” cannot be used when listing the names of people. This sentence would be incorrect:

The dinner was attended by my friends John, Mary, Taylor, etc.

When listing people, “et al.” must be used instead of “etc.” You may have seen this abbreviation before if you’ve ever read a study or research paper. “Et al.” is short for “et alii” in Latin, meaning “and others.” 2

“Etc.” can be used to list unspecified people. For example: All the doctors—cardiologists, neurologists, etc.—were asked to come into the hospital on Christmas.

It’s important to note that when you are using “etc.” in a sentence, you need to list at least two things. This is an example of “etc.” used incorrectly in a sentence: Susan brought all the cakes, etc. to the party.

In the above sentence, it’s not clear what other items Susan brought to the party. A correct sentence would be: Susan brought all the cakes, cookies, etc. to the party. This sentence makes it clearer that Susan brought desserts to the party.

Now that we’ve discussed how not to use “etc.” in a sentence, here are some examples of it used correctly in a sentence:

• Chihuahuas, pugs, corgis, etc. are allowed in the small dog area of the dog park.
• He is allergic to animals with fur—dogs, cats, etc.
• I’ve been trying not to eat ice cream, chips, etc. because I’m on a diet.

“Etc.” in formal writing

It’s agreed that “etc.” shouldn’t be used in formal writing —reserve it for informal writing only. 3 It’s OK to use “etc.” in a blog post, message to a friend, or social media post, but exclude it from essays, research papers, or resumes . Using “etc.” may come across as lazy or vague in formal settings. Instead of using “etc.”, try using words or phrases like:

• And the like
• Along with others
• And so forth

Keep in mind that by replacing “etc.” in formal writing with another word or phrase, you may find that you need to restructure the sentence entirely. For example, the sentence “She cuts long hair, short hair, thin hair, etc.” may need to become “She cuts all hair types, including long, short, and thin hair.”

Now that you know what “et cetera” means and how to correctly use “etc.”, you can write better, clearer sentences .

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etcetera .

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/et%20al .

https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/definitions/all-about-etc/ .

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Using “Etcetera” in Academic Writing

You probably know it better as “etc.” you have read things that have used it; you have probably said it yourself. You may or may not have used it in your own assignment writing, but chances are you may not be using it correctly. One of the reasons is that how to use etc. is not taught in English grammar and composition classes. But if you plan on using etcetera in academic writing , you will need to understand the rules. And that what this article is all about. So here goes.

The term “et cetera” actually comes from Latin, and it means “so forth” or “and other similar things.” And using etcetera in academic writing is perfectly fine, as long as you do it right.

How to Use Etc. in Lists of Things

In this case, you will want to know how to use "etc." at the end of a sentence and, as well, how do you use "etc." in a sentence, when there is more that follows it. The important point in using etc. at the end of a list is that all things in the list must be related. Here are some examples of both situations:

• They can live in any body of freshwater – creeks, ponds, lakes, etc.
• That literature class covers fiction, non-fiction, short stories, novels, poetry, etc.
• We were asked to describe the emotion (anger, fear, joy, etc.) we felt when we viewed the photography.
• Bring any small items that may be of value - coins, stamps, jewelry, etc. to the appraiser on Thursday morning.

Note that all of the items in the lists are related. Another important point on how to use "etc." in a sentence is punctuation. Because it is an abbreviation, you must place a period at the end of it, no matter where it may appear. You don’t need a period if you spell it out, but be sure your spelling is correct. Excetera, etcetra, and exedra are common mis-spellings, so get it right. In the 4th example, note also that there was a dash before the list, rather than a term like “such as.” If you use “such as,” you do not need to use “etc.” because the meaning is already clear.

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Don’t Use Etc. More Than Once in a Sentence

While using several “etc.’s” in speaking or in informal writing is often used for emphasis, using "etc." in academic writing is far different. You can say to a friend, “I have to get to the grocery store, a doctor’s appointment and my haircut appointment, write my essay before the deadline runs out, etc., etc., etc., before I can get back to home and start cleaning,” is common informal language. But in formal writing, only one “etc.” is “allowed.”

Etc., How to Use When Referring to People

This rule is simple. Never, never, never use "etc." when referring to people. “We studied the works of Shakespeare, Milton, etc. in our English lit class,” is not acceptable. Either name them all or come up with some other term, like, “We studied all of the most famous authors in our English literature course.”

Never Use “And” before “Etc.”

The word “and” already implies what “etc.” means, and using it is just redundant. So, you can say, “The courses covered all of the major forms of government, including democracy, fascism, communism, monarchy, etc.,” or you can say, “The course covered all of the major forms of government, including democracy, fascism, communism, monarchy, and others.”

Etc. How to Use Correct Punctuation

This rule is quite simple. If you use “etc.” in the middle of a sentence, and it is not enclosed in parentheses, then you must use a comma after the abbreviation. If it is in parentheses in the middle of a sentence or at the end of a sentence, no comma is needed. Examples:

• Joe and I stuffed ourselves on pizza, beer, pork rinds, candy bars, etc., and we really felt it the next day.
• After finals were over, Joe and I stuffed ourselves on pizza, beer, pork rinds, candy bars, etc.
• After finals, Joe and I stuffed ourselves with every bit of junk we could find (pizza, beer, pork rinds, candy bars, etc.).

Using Additional Punctuation after “Etc”

Remember, “etc.” is an abbreviation, and abbreviations call for periods after them. This doesn’t mean that you don’t use any other punctuation after that period. Use all of the regular punctuation that you would if that “etc.” was just another word – question marks, exclamation points, semi-solons or colons. The only exception is the period at the end of a sentence. Examples:

• Are you going to bring the paper supplies, like plates, cups, napkins, etc.?
• I hate proofreading my essays, papers, etc.!
• We are not going to get anxious about these finals; we are not going to lose sleep, eat junk, etc.; and we are not going to go in with a defeatist attitude.

You will not find the use of “etc.” rampant in academic writing. That is because scholarly research and writing is usually very specific and detailed and does not rely on the reader to “add” things on his own. Oh, yes, you can use it, certainly, in essays you may write for an English course. But use it sparingly in research works.

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• Mar 11, 2020

How To Use "i.e.", "e.g.", And "etc." Correctly

Many English speakers—both native speakers and learners—have difficulty with non-English terms that are commonly used in English. Latin terms, in particular, can be confusing; few people know Latin because it is a dead language. Most of the Latin terms that are used in English use confined to legal and scientific contexts, but a few are common in everyday use as well. Three of these are abbreviations: "etc.", "e.g.", and "i.e."; in this post, I explain how to use these three common abbreviations.

This stands for the Latin phrase et cetera , which means (roughly) "and the rest" in English. It is used to end a list, and it indicates that there are other, similar items in the list (but which aren't written out). In other words, if you are giving a partial list and want to indicate that the items you've written aren't the only items in the category, end the list with "etc."

One note is that you should not ever say "and etc."; that is redundant because the et in et cetera already means "and." You should always put a comma before "etc." to set it off from the last list item (even if you are not using the serial comma ), and you should always include the period at the end (though don't use two consecutive periods if "etc." ends a sentence). In addition, you'll want to use "etc." either at the end of a sentence or in parentheses; it can be a bit awkward to read when placed in the middle of a sentence.

Here are some examples of incorrect uses of "etc." (the correct versions are given afterward):

We will need to buy plates, cups , etc. for the company picnic. Park rangers lead tours, offer assistance to visitors, protect wildlife , and etc. The rainforest is home to numerous amphibian species (frogs, toads, newts etc ).

Now, here are correct versions of those examples:

We will need to buy supplies (plates, cups , etc. ) for the company picnic. Park rangers lead tours, offer assistance to visitors, protect wildlife , etc. The rainforest is home to numerous amphibian species (frogs, toads, newts , etc. ).

This stands for exempli gratia , which roughly translates as "for example" or "for instance." As you might guess from that translation, it is used to introduce one or more examples. To ensure readability, always put "e.g." and the example(s) in parentheses or between em dashes to set the example(s) off from the main text.

Both "etc." and "e.g." can be used to indicate a partial list. However, unlike "etc." (which always comes after a list), "e.g." comes before a list of examples. If you are listing more than one example after "e.g.", be sure to also include a conjunction (usually "and" or "or") before the last item. In addition, because they have similar meanings, you never need both. When giving a list of examples, you can use either "etc." or "e.g.", but you cannot use both. (Also, "e.g." is more restrictive, as it is only used with lists of examples; don't use it for other lists.)

As far as the punctuation, in most styles, "e.g." always uses both periods because both words of the Latin phrase are abbreviated. However, some styles use neither period; these styles are usually in U.K. English, but AMA Style also omits the periods. If you are using a style guide, be sure to check its preferences. In addition, you should always use a comma after "e.g.", just as you would always put a comma after the phrase "for instance."

Here are some incorrect uses of "e.g.":

I love many breakfast cereals , e.g., Corn Flakes and Oat Clusters. "Euro-style" games (Settlers of Cataan , e.g. ) have become very popular. Everyone should learn an instrument ( e.g. flute, piano , drums).

Now, here are the correct versions of those sentences:

I love many breakfast cereals (e.g., Corn Flakes and Oat Clusters ) . "Euro-style" games ( e.g., Settlers of Cataan) have become very popular. Everyone should learn an instrument ( e.g., flute, piano , and drums).

Finally, we have "i.e.", which stands for the Latin phrase id est —roughly translated as "in other words." It is used to restate the preceding text in different words. The most common uses for this are as follows:

to explain technical terms using more common phrases

to explain slang terms using more formal phrases

to provide a category for a complete list (or a complete list for a category).

See the examples below for a better idea.

The rules for "i.e." are similar to those for "e.g." For instance, it should always be used in parentheses and should always be followed by a comma. You'll also always use both periods—unless your style guide says to use neither (see the "e.g." section above).

Be sure not to confuse "i.e." and "e.g.", though! If you are giving a single example, "e.g." (not "i.e.") is correct. If you have named a category, you can use "i.e." to provide a complete list for that category, as that is equivalent to restating the category's name. However, if any of the items are left out of the list, then you need "e.g." instead, as you are only giving examples.

Here are some incorrect examples:

I am taking a "staycation" next week , i.e. resting at home instead of working. Everyone should take precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19 ( e.g., the coronavirus). I have visited every state in New England ( e.g., Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island).

Here are the correct versions of those examples:

I am taking a "staycation" next week (i.e., resting at home instead of working ) . Everyone should take precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19 ( i.e., the coronavirus). I have visited every state in New England ( i.e., Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island).

That's all for now. If you have any questions about how to use these Latin abbreviations—or any other Latin terms—please let me know in the comments or via email ([email protected] ). I'm always happy to help. If you'd rather have an expert editor fix any problems in your writing, then you can always request a quote at ElevationEditing.com .

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Avoid These Words and Phrases in Your Academic Writing

When writing an academic essay, thesis, or dissertation, your professor or advisor usually gives you a rubric with detailed expectations to guide you during the process. While the rubric will identify the major requirements for the paper, it will probably not tell you what words or phrases you need to avoid. Whether you want to earn a stellar grade on your next paper or you're hoping to get published in an academic journal, keep reading to discover words and phrases you need to avoid in your academic writing.

"A great deal of"

I encounter the phrase a great deal of in most academic papers that I edit. Avoid using this vague phrase, because your academic writing should be specific and informative. Instead of saying a great deal of, provide exact measurements or specific quantities.

"A lot"

Similar to the previous phrase (a great deal of), a lot is too vague and informal for an academic paper. Use precise quantities instead of this overly general phrase.

"Always"

Avoid using the word always in your academic writing, because it can generalize a statement and convey an absolute that might not be accurate. If you want to state something about all the participants in your study, use specific language to clarify that the statement applies to a consistent action among the participants in your study.

It is almost a cliché to tell you to avoid clichés, but it is an essential piece of writing advice. Clichés are unoriginal and will weaken your writing. In academic writing, using clichés will erode your credibility and take away from all the research and hard work you have put into your project.

What qualifies as a cliché? According to Dictionary.com , A cliché is an expression, idea, or action that has been overused to the point of seeming worn out, stale, ineffective, or meaningless. Your words should be original, carry meaning, and resonate with your readers, and this is especially important for academic writing. Most clichés have been used so frequently in so many different contexts that they have lost their meaning. To eliminate clichés, scan your paper for any phrases that you could type into an internet browser and find millions of search results from all different topic areas. If you are unsure if your favorite phrases are overused clichés, consult this Cliché List for a comprehensive list.

Contractions

Academic writing should be formal and professional, so refrain from using contractions. Dictionary.com offers the following advice regarding contractions: Contractions such as isn't, couldn't, can't, weren't, he'll, they're occur chiefly, although not exclusively, in informal speech and writing. They are common in personal letters, business letters, journalism, and fiction; they are rare in scientific and scholarly writing. Contractions occur in formal writing mainly as representations of speech. When you proofread your paper, change any contractions back to the original formal words.

Double negatives

Double negatives will confuse your readers and dilute the power of your words. For example, consider the following sentence:

"He was not unwilling to participate in the study."

The word not and the prefix un- are both negatives, so they cancel each other out and change the meaning of the sentence. If you want to convey that someone reluctantly participated in the study, express that clearly and explicitly.

"Etc."

The abbreviation etc. is short for the Latin word et cetera , which means and others; and so forth; and so on. Dictionary.com specifies that etc. is used to indicate that more of the same sort or class might have been mentioned, but for brevity have been omitted. I discourage writers from using etc. in academic writing, because if you are writing an academic paper, you are writing to share information or scholarly research, and you are not conveying any new information with the abbreviation etc. Instead of writing etc., explicitly state the words or list that you are alluding to with your use of etc. If you absolutely must use etc. , make sure you only use it if readers can easily identify what etc. represents, and only use etc. at the end of lists that are within parentheses.

"For all intents and purposes" and "for all intensive purposes"

These two phrases are often used interchangeably, but you should avoid both of them in your academic writing. Avoid the second phrase in all of your writing: For all intensive purposes is an eggcorn (a word or phrase that is mistakenly used for another word or phrase because it sounds similar). For all intents and purposes is generally a filler phrase that does not provide any new information, so you can usually omit it without replacing it.

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements. Idioms include phrases such as he kicked the bucket, and they are particularly problematic in academic writing, because non-native English speakers might not understand your intended meaning. Below are three of the idioms I encounter most frequently when editing academic papers:

• All things being equal : All things being equal is usually an unnecessary or redundant phrase that you can simply omit without replacing with anything else.
• In a nutshell : Instead of saying in a nutshell, use a more universal phrase such as in summary or in conclusion.
• On the other hand : Idioms such as on the other hand are informal and will weaken your paper. Instead of writing the phrase on the other hand, consider using conversely.

In-text ampersands ("&")

Do not use ampersands in place of the word and in sentences. Most style guides dictate that you use an ampersand for parenthetical in-text citations, but you need to spell out the word and in your paper. An ampersand within the text of your paper is too informal for an academic paper.

"I think"

You do not need to include the phrase I think when explaining your point of view. This is your paper, and it should contain your original thoughts or findings, so it is redundant to include the phrase I think. Doing so will weaken your writing and your overall argument.

"Never"

Similar to the word " always, " avoid using the word never in your academic writing. Always and never will overgeneralize your statements. If you absolutely must use never in your academic writing, make sure that you specify that it applies only to the participants in your study and should not be applied to the general population.

"Normal"

Avoid using subjective terms such a normal in your academic papers. Instead, use scientific or academic terms such as control group or standard. Remember that what you consider normal might be abnormal to someone else, but a control group or standard should be objective and definable.

Passive voice

Passive voice is one of the most frequent issues that I correct when editing academic papers. Some students think passive voice provides a more formal tone, but it actually creates more confusion for your readers while also adding to your word count. As the UNC Writing Center explained , The primary reason why your instructors frown on the passive voice is that they often have to guess what you mean. Most style guidelines (APA, MLA, Chicago) also specify that writers should avoid passive sentences. Whether you're writing your first draft or proofreading for what feels like the hundredth time, you can change passive sentences by making sure that the subject of your sentence is performing the action.

One way to look out for passive voice is to pay attention anytime you use by or was. These two words do not always indicate passive voice, but if you pay attention, they can help you spot passive voice. For example, the following sentence uses passive voice:

"The study was conducted in 2021."

If your style guideline allows you to use personal pronouns, specify a subject and reword the sentence to say:

"We conducted the study in 2021."

If your style guideline dictates that you avoid personal pronouns, you can make the sentence active by saying:

"The researchers conducted the study in 2021."

There are exceptions to most writing tips, but not this one: You should never use profanity in your academic writing. Profanity is informal, and many people might find it offensive, crude, or rude. Even if you enjoy creating controversy or getting a rise out of your readers, avoid profane words that might offend professors or other readers.

Academic writing can feel overwhelming, but hopefully this list of words and phrases to avoid in academic writing will help you as you navigate your next big assignment. Although there are exceptions to some items on this list, you will grow as a writer if you learn to avoid these words and phrases. If you consult your professor or advisor's rubric, adhere to style guidelines, and avoid the words or phrases on this list, you might even have fun the next time you have to stay up all night to finish an academic paper.

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Writing academically: Abbreviations

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Abbreviations and acronyms are shortened forms of words or phrases. Generally, abbreviations are not acceptable in academic writing (with some exceptions, see below) and acronyms are (providing they are used as shown below).

As academic writing is formal in style, most abbreviations should be avoided. Even the common ones shown below:

Some common ones to avoid

Avoid e.g. and i.e. , instead use for example and for instance .

Avoid etc . There isn't really an alternative, so rewrite the sentence.

Avoid dept , govt . Use  department , government .

Avoid NB , instead use note that .

Avoid vs  or v , instead use versus or against (except in Law reports or cases)

Some acceptable abbreviations

Titles such as Mr. Dr. Prof. are acceptable when using them in conjunction with the individual's name i.e. Dr. Smith.

Some Latin phrases

et al. (short form of et alia - and others is acceptable when giving in text citations with multiple authors. The full stop should always be included afterwards to acknowledge the abbreviation. It does not need to be italicised as it is in common usage.

ibid. (short form of ibidim - in the same place) is acceptable if using footnote references to indicate that a reference is the same as the previous one. Again, always include the full stop to acknowledge the abbreviation. It is the convention to italicise this as it is less commonly used.

sic (short form of sic erat scriptum - thus it was written). This is used to indicate there was an error in something you are quoting (either an interviewee or an author) and it is not a misquote. It is added in square brackets but is neither italicised nor followed by a full stop i.e.

"it'd be great if unis [sic] could develop a person's self-knowledge"

Acronyms are acceptable, but use the name in full on its first use in a particular document (e.g. an assignment), no matter how well known the acronym is. For example, on its first use in an essay you might refer to "the World Health Organisation (WHO)" - it would be fine to simply refer to "the WHO" for the remainder of the essay.

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Should I Use “I”?

What this handout is about.

This handout is about determining when to use first person pronouns (“I”, “we,” “me,” “us,” “my,” and “our”) and personal experience in academic writing. “First person” and “personal experience” might sound like two ways of saying the same thing, but first person and personal experience can work in very different ways in your writing. You might choose to use “I” but not make any reference to your individual experiences in a particular paper. Or you might include a brief description of an experience that could help illustrate a point you’re making without ever using the word “I.” So whether or not you should use first person and personal experience are really two separate questions, both of which this handout addresses. It also offers some alternatives if you decide that either “I” or personal experience isn’t appropriate for your project. If you’ve decided that you do want to use one of them, this handout offers some ideas about how to do so effectively, because in many cases using one or the other might strengthen your writing.

Expectations about academic writing

Students often arrive at college with strict lists of writing rules in mind. Often these are rather strict lists of absolutes, including rules both stated and unstated:

• Each essay should have exactly five paragraphs.
• Don’t begin a sentence with “and” or “because.”
• Never include personal opinion.
• Never use “I” in essays.

We get these ideas primarily from teachers and other students. Often these ideas are derived from good advice but have been turned into unnecessarily strict rules in our minds. The problem is that overly strict rules about writing can prevent us, as writers, from being flexible enough to learn to adapt to the writing styles of different fields, ranging from the sciences to the humanities, and different kinds of writing projects, ranging from reviews to research.

So when it suits your purpose as a scholar, you will probably need to break some of the old rules, particularly the rules that prohibit first person pronouns and personal experience. Although there are certainly some instructors who think that these rules should be followed (so it is a good idea to ask directly), many instructors in all kinds of fields are finding reason to depart from these rules. Avoiding “I” can lead to awkwardness and vagueness, whereas using it in your writing can improve style and clarity. Using personal experience, when relevant, can add concreteness and even authority to writing that might otherwise be vague and impersonal. Because college writing situations vary widely in terms of stylistic conventions, tone, audience, and purpose, the trick is deciphering the conventions of your writing context and determining how your purpose and audience affect the way you write. The rest of this handout is devoted to strategies for figuring out when to use “I” and personal experience.

Effective uses of “I”:

In many cases, using the first person pronoun can improve your writing, by offering the following benefits:

• Assertiveness: In some cases you might wish to emphasize agency (who is doing what), as for instance if you need to point out how valuable your particular project is to an academic discipline or to claim your unique perspective or argument.
• Clarity: Because trying to avoid the first person can lead to awkward constructions and vagueness, using the first person can improve your writing style.
• Positioning yourself in the essay: In some projects, you need to explain how your research or ideas build on or depart from the work of others, in which case you’ll need to say “I,” “we,” “my,” or “our”; if you wish to claim some kind of authority on the topic, first person may help you do so.

Deciding whether “I” will help your style

Here is an example of how using the first person can make the writing clearer and more assertive:

Original example:

In studying American popular culture of the 1980s, the question of to what degree materialism was a major characteristic of the cultural milieu was explored.

Better example using first person:

In our study of American popular culture of the 1980s, we explored the degree to which materialism characterized the cultural milieu.

The original example sounds less emphatic and direct than the revised version; using “I” allows the writers to avoid the convoluted construction of the original and clarifies who did what.

Here is an example in which alternatives to the first person would be more appropriate:

As I observed the communication styles of first-year Carolina women, I noticed frequent use of non-verbal cues.

Better example:

A study of the communication styles of first-year Carolina women revealed frequent use of non-verbal cues.

In the original example, using the first person grounds the experience heavily in the writer’s subjective, individual perspective, but the writer’s purpose is to describe a phenomenon that is in fact objective or independent of that perspective. Avoiding the first person here creates the desired impression of an observed phenomenon that could be reproduced and also creates a stronger, clearer statement.

Here’s another example in which an alternative to first person works better:

As I was reading this study of medieval village life, I noticed that social class tended to be clearly defined.

This study of medieval village life reveals that social class tended to be clearly defined.

Although you may run across instructors who find the casual style of the original example refreshing, they are probably rare. The revised version sounds more academic and renders the statement more assertive and direct.

Here’s a final example:

I think that Aristotle’s ethical arguments are logical and readily applicable to contemporary cases, or at least it seems that way to me.

Better example

Aristotle’s ethical arguments are logical and readily applicable to contemporary cases.

In this example, there is no real need to announce that that statement about Aristotle is your thought; this is your paper, so readers will assume that the ideas in it are yours.

Determining whether to use “I” according to the conventions of the academic field

Which fields allow “I”?

The rules for this are changing, so it’s always best to ask your instructor if you’re not sure about using first person. But here are some general guidelines.

Sciences: In the past, scientific writers avoided the use of “I” because scientists often view the first person as interfering with the impression of objectivity and impersonality they are seeking to create. But conventions seem to be changing in some cases—for instance, when a scientific writer is describing a project she is working on or positioning that project within the existing research on the topic. Check with your science instructor to find out whether it’s o.k. to use “I” in their class.

Social Sciences: Some social scientists try to avoid “I” for the same reasons that other scientists do. But first person is becoming more commonly accepted, especially when the writer is describing their project or perspective.

Humanities: Ask your instructor whether you should use “I.” The purpose of writing in the humanities is generally to offer your own analysis of language, ideas, or a work of art. Writers in these fields tend to value assertiveness and to emphasize agency (who’s doing what), so the first person is often—but not always—appropriate. Sometimes writers use the first person in a less effective way, preceding an assertion with “I think,” “I feel,” or “I believe” as if such a phrase could replace a real defense of an argument. While your audience is generally interested in your perspective in the humanities fields, readers do expect you to fully argue, support, and illustrate your assertions. Personal belief or opinion is generally not sufficient in itself; you will need evidence of some kind to convince your reader.

Other writing situations: If you’re writing a speech, use of the first and even the second person (“you”) is generally encouraged because these personal pronouns can create a desirable sense of connection between speaker and listener and can contribute to the sense that the speaker is sincere and involved in the issue. If you’re writing a resume, though, avoid the first person; describe your experience, education, and skills without using a personal pronoun (for example, under “Experience” you might write “Volunteered as a peer counselor”).

A note on the second person “you”:

In situations where your intention is to sound conversational and friendly because it suits your purpose, as it does in this handout intended to offer helpful advice, or in a letter or speech, “you” might help to create just the sense of familiarity you’re after. But in most academic writing situations, “you” sounds overly conversational, as for instance in a claim like “when you read the poem ‘The Wasteland,’ you feel a sense of emptiness.” In this case, the “you” sounds overly conversational. The statement would read better as “The poem ‘The Wasteland’ creates a sense of emptiness.” Academic writers almost always use alternatives to the second person pronoun, such as “one,” “the reader,” or “people.”

Personal experience in academic writing

The question of whether personal experience has a place in academic writing depends on context and purpose. In papers that seek to analyze an objective principle or data as in science papers, or in papers for a field that explicitly tries to minimize the effect of the researcher’s presence such as anthropology, personal experience would probably distract from your purpose. But sometimes you might need to explicitly situate your position as researcher in relation to your subject of study. Or if your purpose is to present your individual response to a work of art, to offer examples of how an idea or theory might apply to life, or to use experience as evidence or a demonstration of an abstract principle, personal experience might have a legitimate role to play in your academic writing. Using personal experience effectively usually means keeping it in the service of your argument, as opposed to letting it become an end in itself or take over the paper.

It’s also usually best to keep your real or hypothetical stories brief, but they can strengthen arguments in need of concrete illustrations or even just a little more vitality.

Here are some examples of effective ways to incorporate personal experience in academic writing:

• Anecdotes: In some cases, brief examples of experiences you’ve had or witnessed may serve as useful illustrations of a point you’re arguing or a theory you’re evaluating. For instance, in philosophical arguments, writers often use a real or hypothetical situation to illustrate abstract ideas and principles.
• References to your own experience can explain your interest in an issue or even help to establish your authority on a topic.
• Some specific writing situations, such as application essays, explicitly call for discussion of personal experience.

Here are some suggestions about including personal experience in writing for specific fields:

Philosophy: In philosophical writing, your purpose is generally to reconstruct or evaluate an existing argument, and/or to generate your own. Sometimes, doing this effectively may involve offering a hypothetical example or an illustration. In these cases, you might find that inventing or recounting a scenario that you’ve experienced or witnessed could help demonstrate your point. Personal experience can play a very useful role in your philosophy papers, as long as you always explain to the reader how the experience is related to your argument. (See our handout on writing in philosophy for more information.)

Religion: Religion courses might seem like a place where personal experience would be welcomed. But most religion courses take a cultural, historical, or textual approach, and these generally require objectivity and impersonality. So although you probably have very strong beliefs or powerful experiences in this area that might motivate your interest in the field, they shouldn’t supplant scholarly analysis. But ask your instructor, as it is possible that they are interested in your personal experiences with religion, especially in less formal assignments such as response papers. (See our handout on writing in religious studies for more information.)

Literature, Music, Fine Arts, and Film: Writing projects in these fields can sometimes benefit from the inclusion of personal experience, as long as it isn’t tangential. For instance, your annoyance over your roommate’s habits might not add much to an analysis of “Citizen Kane.” However, if you’re writing about Ridley Scott’s treatment of relationships between women in the movie “Thelma and Louise,” some reference your own observations about these relationships might be relevant if it adds to your analysis of the film. Personal experience can be especially appropriate in a response paper, or in any kind of assignment that asks about your experience of the work as a reader or viewer. Some film and literature scholars are interested in how a film or literary text is received by different audiences, so a discussion of how a particular viewer or reader experiences or identifies with the piece would probably be appropriate. (See our handouts on writing about fiction , art history , and drama for more information.)

Women’s Studies: Women’s Studies classes tend to be taught from a feminist perspective, a perspective which is generally interested in the ways in which individuals experience gender roles. So personal experience can often serve as evidence for your analytical and argumentative papers in this field. This field is also one in which you might be asked to keep a journal, a kind of writing that requires you to apply theoretical concepts to your experiences.

History: If you’re analyzing a historical period or issue, personal experience is less likely to advance your purpose of objectivity. However, some kinds of historical scholarship do involve the exploration of personal histories. So although you might not be referencing your own experience, you might very well be discussing other people’s experiences as illustrations of their historical contexts. (See our handout on writing in history for more information.)

Sciences: Because the primary purpose is to study data and fixed principles in an objective way, personal experience is less likely to have a place in this kind of writing. Often, as in a lab report, your goal is to describe observations in such a way that a reader could duplicate the experiment, so the less extra information, the better. Of course, if you’re working in the social sciences, case studies—accounts of the personal experiences of other people—are a crucial part of your scholarship. (See our handout on  writing in the sciences for more information.)

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Man or bear? Hypothetical question sparks conversation about women's safety

Women explain why they would feel safer encountering a bear in the forest than a man they didn't know. the hypothetical has sparked a broader discussion about why women fear men..

If you were alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a bear or a man? Answers to that hypothetical question have sparked a debate about why the vast majority say they would feel more comfortable choosing a bear.

The topic has been hotly discussed for weeks as men and women chimed in with their thoughts all over social media.

Screenshot HQ , a TikTok account, started the conversation, asking a group of women whether they would rather run into a man they didn't know or a bear in the forest. Out of the seven women interviewed for the piece, only one picked a man.

"Bear. Man is scary," one of the women responds.

A number of women echoed the responses given in the original video, writing in the comments that they, too, would pick a bear over a man. The hypothetical has people split, with some expressing their sadness over the state of the world and others cracking jokes. Some men were flabbergasted.

Here's what we know.

A bear is the safer choice, no doubt about it, many say

There were a lot of responses, more than 65,000, under the original post. Many wrote that they understood why the women would choose a bear.

"No one’s gonna ask me if I led the bear on or give me a pamphlet on bear attack prevention tips," @celestiallystunning wrote.

@Brennduhh wrote: "When I die leave my body in the woods, the wolves will be gentler than any man."

"I know a bear's intentions," another woman wrote. "I don't know a man's intentions. no matter how nice they are."

Other TikTok users took it one step further, posing the hypothetical question to loved ones. Meredith Steele, who goes by @babiesofsteele , asked her husband last week whether he would rather have their daughter encounter a bear or a man in the woods. Her husband said he "didn't like either option" but said he was leaning toward the bear.

"Maybe it's a friendly bear," he says.

Diana, another TikTok user , asked her sister-in-law what she would choose and was left speechless.

"I asked her the question, you know, just for giggles. She was like, 'You know, I would rather it be a bear because if the bear attacks me, and I make it out of the woods, everybody’s gonna believe me and have sympathy for me," she said. "But if a man attacks me and I make it out, I’m gonna spend my whole life trying to get people to believe me and have sympathy for me.'"

Bear vs. man debate stirs the pot, woman and some men at odds

The hypothetical has caused some tension, with some women arguing that men will never truly understand what it's like to be a woman or the inherent dangers at play.

Social media users answered this question for themselves, producing memes, spoken word poetry and skits in the days and weeks since.

So, what would you choose?

Silk pajamas, spanking and questions about STDs: Stormy Daniels details sexual encounter with Trump

Adult film actor Stormy Daniels took the witness stand at Donald Trump 's New York criminal trial Tuesday, testifying under oath about the sexual encounter she says she had with him in 2006 and the $130,000 deal for her silence that was struck during the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign.

In a remarkable day of testimony with the former president sitting roughly 10 feet away from her, Daniels recounted the tryst in detail. She also talked about Trump's supposed efforts to get her on his TV show and her decision to come forward with her story, as well as the payoff and the fallout from doing so.

During cross-examination, which at times became heated, Daniels tangled with one of Trump’s attorneys, Susan Necheles, who accused her of making up a series of false claims to "extort" Trump, then a presidential candidate.

Trump’s lawyers also argued that some of Daniels’ account of the 2006 encounter “was unduly and inappropriately prejudicial.” They then requested a mistrial.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told the judge that Daniels’ unfair claims included her testimony that Trump didn’t use a condom and that she thinks she “blacked out” for a part of it.

“There’s no way to unring the bell, in our view,” Blanche said during a dramatic exchange with prosecutors.

Judge Juan Merchan shot down the mistrial motion but acknowledged that "there were things that would have been better left unsaid,” adding that he would strike some of Daniels' testimony from the record.

Court isn’t in session Wednesday. Cross-examination of Daniels will resume Thursday morning.

Trump is headed to Florida on Tuesday evening, with plans to spend Wednesday at Mar-a-Lago, campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

Daniels testified that she first met Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in July 2006. Describing their first meeting as a "very brief encounter" on a golf course, Daniels said she was 27 and remembered Trump being as old as her father — around 60.

The jury — which appeared focused intently on Daniels and her testimony — was shown a picture of them together from that trip.

Daniels said that they later ran into each other at the club and that a man she later learned was Trump's bodyguard told her Trump wanted to have dinner with her. She said she replied, "No, with an expletive in front."

She did, however, get the bodyguard's number, and she said that later that day her publicist convinced her she should accept the invitation, telling her: “It’ll make a great story. He’s a business guy. Like, what could possibly go wrong?”

She said she went up to Trump's penthouse hotel suite and was told they'd be going to dinner at one of the restaurants downstairs. When she entered the room, which she described as "three times the size of my apartment," he was wearing "silk or satin" pajamas, she said. She said she quipped, “Does Hugh Hefner know you stole his pajamas?” and asked him to change, which he did.

They then sat at a dining table in the suite, where, she said, Trump asked her numerous questions about her adult film writing and directing. He then asked her about sexually transmitted diseases, and she said she was tested constantly and "I've never had a bad test."

She said that she grew frustrated with him because he kept cutting off her answers and that when he pulled out a magazine with him on the cover, she said, "Someone should spank you with that." She said she then rolled it up and "swatted" him with it. While jurors mostly appeared poker-faced through her testimony, one began rubbing her face and appeared to be holding back laughter.

After that, she said, Trump was "much more polite" and suggested she should come on his TV show, "The Apprentice." Daniels testified that "he said, 'You remind me of my daughter,'" and that appearing on the show would demonstrate she shouldn't be underestimated.

In all, they chatted for about two hours, Daniels said. She said that she went to the bathroom and that when she walked out, Trump was lying on the bed "in boxer shorts and T-shirt." She said she was "startled, like a jump scare. Wasn’t expecting someone to be there, especially minus a lot of clothing.”

She said Trump told her, "I thought you were serious about what you wanted." She said she felt "there was an imbalance of power, for sure. He was bigger and blocking the way, but I was not threatened either verbally or physically.” Asked in court whether she ended up having sex with him on the bed, she said, "Yes."

She described the sex as brief and said Trump told her “it was great. Let’s get together again, honey bunch.” She said he hadn’t used a condom and hadn't expressed any concern about his wife’s finding out what had happened. She said he also didn’t give her his phone number.

Trump's bodyguard reached out to her the next day to invite her to meet Trump at a bar in her hotel, she said. When she got there, she said, he was with then-Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Trump left about 10 minutes later but continued to call her well after the encounter, she said, "with an update — or a non-update if he didn’t have one — for ‘Apprentice.’”

"He always called me honey bunch," she said.

She said they saw each other again in January 2007, when he invited her to the launch of his Trump vodka brand. While she was there, she said, he introduced her to his friend "Karen," who she later learned was Karen McDougal , a former Playboy model who said she was having a monthslong affair with Trump during that period. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified earlier in the trial that he paid McDougal $150,000 to keep her quiet about the claim during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has denied both Daniels' and McDougal's claims.

Daniels said Trump also invited her to Trump Tower around that time and assured her, "I'm still working on the ‘Apprentice’ thing."

She said they last saw each other in the summer of 2007, when he invited her to see him at a bungalow he was staying at in Los Angeles. She said that he "kept trying to make sexual advances" but that she shot him down. "I told him I was on my period," she said. He said he later called her and told her he hadn't been able to get her on his show.

Payments made to Daniels by Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen at the end of the 2016 campaign are at the heart of the case, the first criminal trial of a former president. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in return for her keeping quiet about her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump.

Daniels said Tuesday that Gina Rodriguez, her manager, spoke to her about going public with her story for money in 2015 after Trump announced he was running for president. Rodriguez didn’t have much success shopping the story until after the release in October 2016 of the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump was recorded in 2005 bragging that he could grope women without their consent.

She said that Rodriguez then told her that Trump and Cohen were "interested in paying" for the story and that she agreed, because it meant the story — which her husband didn’t know about — wouldn’t become public. "I didn't care about the amounts. It was just, 'Get it done,'" she said.

Prosecutors say Trump reimbursed Cohen the money in payments that were falsely described as legal expenses. They have charged him with 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Daniels' deal with Cohen was revealed in a January 2018 story in The Wall Street Journal. Asked about the impact the story had on her life, Daniels said, "Chaos."

“My husband asking questions, my friends asking questions,” she said, with people showing up on her front lawn.

She said that Cohen started to talk about her allegations publicly but that she couldn’t because of the NDA and the $1 million penalty it included if she violated it. She said she later hired lawyer Michael Avenatti "so that I could stand up for myself."

He helped her get out of the NDA but also filed an unsuccessful defamation suit against Trump on her behalf and against her wishes, she said. Daniels lost the case and was ordered to pay Trump's legal fees . She eventually fired Avenatti, who was convicted of several crimes, including stealing from Daniels .

Daniels had vowed on Twitter, now X, never to pay the legal fees, which she acknowledged on cross-examination totaled over $660,000.

"You said, 'I will go to jail before I pay a penny'?" Necheles asked Daniels. "Correct," she responded.

Daniels also acknowledged that she hates Trump and has called him mean names online, including having referred to him as an "orange turd," but she said Trump, who has repeatedly referred to her as "horseface," made fun of her first.

Necheles also pressed Daniels about earlier accounts of her story. Daniels testified she agreed to do an interview with In Touch magazine in 2011 after it told her it was writing about the alleged encounter with Trump. Daniels said that it had agreed to pay her $15,000 for the interview but that the deal was scrapped after Cohen got the story killed. She said she was threatened weeks later by a man in a Las Vegas parking lot who told her to "leave Trump alone."

Necheles repeatedly suggested the parking lot incident was made up, which Daniels disputed. Daniels said that she was frightened by the encounter and that she stayed quiet until Trump declared his candidacy for president, at which point she gave her manager the green light to shop her story around.

“You weren’t really scared, were you?” Necheles said.

“I was terrified, but the ballgame changed,” Daniels replied, implying that by telling her story when Trump was a candidate, she felt she could ensure her safety.

“You were looking to extort money from President Trump, right?” Necheles said.

“False,” Daniels replied.

Before Daniels first took the stand, Merchan told prosecutors she could testify that she and Trump had sexual relations but that she should leave details out. Once she was on the stand, Daniels often elaborated on her claims without being asked, and Merchan repeatedly told her just to answer the questions that were posed to her.

When Blanche made his mistrial motion, Merchan also faulted the lawyers for not having spoken up during her testimony, saying he was surprised there weren't more objections.

"I think that I signaled to you and to the prosecution that we were going into way too much detail,” Merchan said.

Trump, whom Merchan has fined for repeatedly violating a gag order by attacking Daniels and Cohen, took to his social media platform before Tuesday's court proceedings to complain he had "just recently been told who the witness is today."

“This is unprecedented, no time for lawyers to prepare. No Judge has ever run a trial in such a biased and partisan way,” he wrote in a post that was taken down a short time later.

The Truth Social post went up shortly before The Associated Press first reported that Daniels was expected to testify. It's unclear when Trump and his lawyers were told she'd be testifying — prosecutors have typically not been telling them who would take the stand until the day before, citing Trump's record of witness commentary.

That Daniels would testify wasn’t a surprise, however. Trump’s legal team had argued unsuccessfully that she should be barred from taking the stand, a request Merchan rejected before the trial started. Cohen is also expected to testify.

Before Daniels, prosecutors called a longtime publishing executive to authenticate and read excerpts from some of Trump’s books.

Sally Franklin, an executive at Penguin Random House, read one from "Trump: Think Like a Billionaire" that talked about how closely Trump tracks his money — which prosecutors are likely to use to show he was well aware of what he was paying Cohen back for.

"I always sign my checks so I know where my money is going,” he said in the excerpt.

Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.

Gary Grumbach produces and reports for NBC News, based in Washington, D.C.

Jillian Frankel is a 2024 NBC News campaign embed.

Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.

America's War on Drugs and Crime will be AI powered, says Homeland Security boss

Or at least it might well be if these trial programs work out, with some civil lib oversight etc etc etc.

RSAC   AI is a double-edged sword in that the government can see ways in which the tech can protect and also be used to attack Americans, says US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.…

On the one hand, artificial intelligence can automate computer networks to become more efficient and smarter at defending against threats to US critical infrastructure and protecting the nation's citizens from harm, Mayorkas told the RSA Conference in San Francisco in a keynote session Tuesday.

However, terrorists and criminals are also apparently tapping this tech to automate attacks against those same critical assets and perpetuate crimes including child sexual exploitation and abuse — some of the things Homeland Security is working to defend against.

Whenever government officials talk about using AI for day-to-day operations, the usual concerns spring to mind, such as the potential for agents to misuse surveillance technologies as well as the biases inherent in machine learning.

Heading off those fears, Mayorkas said his department's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is there, at an "institutionalization" level, to balance the interests of protecting the Land of the Free with the need to respect citizens' privacy.

Homeland Security also last month set up its own Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board to tackle this issue. And in February, it rolled out the AI Corps initiative, which aims to hire and tap into 50 tech experts in the field this year. 

That AI safety and security board this week met for the first time, Mayorkas said. And despite criticism that the board is essentially stacked with Big Tech big cheeses — who may be inclined to put profits before people's privacy and safety — responsible AI advocate Rumman Chowdhury, who also sits on the safety board, and Mayorkas pushed back on this critique during their joint keynote.

"What we heard yesterday is an articulation of the fact that the civil liberties, civil rights implications of AI really are part and parcel to safety," Mayorkas said. "We cannot consider safety and safe use of AI to be a potential perpetuation of implicit bias, for example."

He also pointed to three pilot programs underway at Homeland Security that Mayorkas said help the department advance its mission. One involves using LLMs to assist in Homeland Security investigations. 

"We may have a task force that is investigating a narcotics case on the West Coast, and a different group of agents working in an international money laundering scheme on the East Coast. And there is no perceived connectivity between the work of the two," Mayorkas explained. 

"But we are now ingesting their criminal investigative reports into a database, and we will be able to use AI to identify connections that we otherwise would not be aware of," he added. 

Another pilot will assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency (better known as FEMA) to help "resource-poor, target-rich communities apply for grants to make sure they are not disenfranchised," Mayorkas said. 

These are the federal-government-issued funds made available for pre- and post-emergency and disaster relief to aid communities hit by natural disasters and other critical events.

And the third program will use LLMs to train Homeland Security officers who work with refugees and asylum seekers applying for citizenship in the US.

"A refugee officer in training can now actually pose questions to a machine that has been trained to act as a refugee, both substantively and stylistically," Mayorkas said.

By "stylistically," he explained: "Very often, people who have gone through trauma tend not to be forthcoming in revealing traumatic experiences, and we have trained the machine to be similarly reticent." ®

More From Forbes

Ai transformation: how marketers can succeed in 2024.

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Monica, CMO of SOCi , holds 20+ years of tenure in digital marketing & advertising, with a foundation in sales, strategy, and data analytics.

Ask anyone in marketing about the most hyped trend of 2023, and the answer will undoubtedly include AI.

Unlike NFTs or the metaverse, AI has shown the ability to change the way we get things done, how we work and how we market. In 2023, it became clear when it comes to AI use in marketing, it’s not a matter of if , but when , so it will be important to understand exactly how far marketers have progressed along their AI transformation journeys.

Are they prepared for what’s to come on the AI horizon? Are they setting themselves up for success so they aren’t left behind? How confident are they in their understanding and use of AI tools?

A recent SOCi survey revealed a remarkable 95% of the 300 marketers surveyed believe AI will transform the marketing landscape. However, 70% of marketers also expressed feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI development. This paradox has resulted in “AI paralysis” within the industry.

New FBI Warning As Hackers Strike Email Senders Must Do This 1 Thing

Apple ipad 2024 release date: your final, complete guide to what and when, katy perry met gala dresses go viral but they re ai fakes, prioritizing ai training.

While many companies have made substantial AI investments, widespread adoption remains a challenge. The struggle to embrace AI persists due to a lack of formal training and difficulty seeing concrete benefits.

It’s the chicken-or-the-egg paradox. There are too few professionals with the requisite AI expertise to upskill the larger marketing workforce, but education is the key to understanding AI principles and unlocking its potential. In 2022, IBM found that limited AI skills, expertise or knowledge was the number one thing hindering AI adoption. This trend continued in 2023, as an alarming 42% of participants admit they hadn’t received any formal AI training.

As brands are still figuring out AI, marketers should lean into their technology partners to help educate them and prove valid use cases for their specific business to speed up the education process. In addition, marketers should take advantage of courses through the Marketing AI Institute, Coursera and Codecademy to ensure they can navigate the 2024 AI reality.

Creating Viable Use Cases And Seamless Integration

Understanding AI and its marketing applications is essential for realizing its full potential. However, when the benefits are unclear, it’s challenging to justify the time, effort and budget.

Brands require both company resources and investments to fully leverage AI. For instance, according to a Statista survey, 45% of marketers are worried about the cost of implementation to start utilizing AI tools. Waiting is not a viable option for most brands, as those who invest in education and implementation will easily harness AI’s capabilities for driving innovation and campaign efficacy.

The worst thing a marketer can do when it comes to AI is try to do it all. For marketers to seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows, they must first prioritize the most viable use cases where AI can have the biggest impact. Right now, the mindset should be steady progress over perfection, and marketers should ask their organization questions like:

• Where do employees spend significant time on repetitive tasks?

• Are there specific areas in the strategy suffering due to lack of time and human capacity?

• Where are we getting stuck in the creative process?

• Where are the most bottlenecks in marketing?

Once these questions are addressed, marketers can determine whether their existing technology vendors offer solutions so they can begin testing and learning. In the early days of adoption, getting started with AI is more important than having a perfect solution out of the gate.

Embracing The Nuances Of AI

AI promises to simplify arduous tasks and unlock more insights at scale; however, AI technology must seamlessly integrate with existing processes and workflows. While the hope is AI streamlines processes, 44% of marketers find the introduction of new AI tools creates more confusion rather than assisting in their marketing efforts.

The fragmentation of legacy technology must be addressed before AI’s full potential is unlocked. Most brands have vast amounts of consumer data, but making data usable in this way is a significant obstacle. According to Appen’s latest State of AI Report, some hindrances in data preparation include a lack of sufficient data for a specific use case, new machine learning techniques requiring greater volumes of data or not having the right processes in place to easily and efficiently get the data needed.

Once the most viable use cases have been tested, marketers should evaluate their tech. Most martech stacks silo data across channels. For AI to work, these silos need to be streamlined so AI can be trained on a fully integrated dataset. This approach will help marketers reduce data fragmentation so the AI can become more intuitive.

AI’s Outlook For 2024

Despite these early challenges, the outlook for AI in marketing remains hopeful. The majority of marketers find that AI has had a positive impact on their performance . According to my company's survey cited above, two-thirds of marketers are using generative AI tools, with 40% reporting a significant boost in efficiency.

AI’s place in the marketing ecosystem is evident, but brands will take some time to realize its full impact and truly integrate. Brands must invest early in proper training, processes and integration to unlock its transformative potential, and the time to act is now.

While the industry sheds light on the current challenges and aspirations of marketers, the landscape of AI in marketing will continue to evolve and new questions will emerge. Complications like new technological advancements or shifts in consumer behavior will likely necessitate a change in strategy.

Being nimble, and staying attuned to AI developments and even policy changes, will be crucial for marketers. They must ensure their approaches are adapted to responsibly leverage the transformative—and ever-growing—potential of AI.

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Sustainability with Sarah: Where to recycle batteries, plastic bags and makeup

Welcome to Sustainability with Sarah! I’m the climate change and environmental reporter for The Greenville News, covering issues and solutions across the Upstate. In this weekly column, I will answer your questions about what’s happening in the natural world around us, from waste to water and everything in between. We’ll look at what works, what doesn’t and what you want to see.

While working on this column, I have continually seen readers express that they sincerely want to recycle correctly, but it can be hard to learn all the steps. A product might have the “chasing arrows” symbol, but that doesn’t mean it can go with your cardboard and plastic bottles in a curbside bin.

This week, we are discussing what to do with batteries, plastic bags, and makeup containers. We’ll also discuss how to keep them out of a landfill even if your local recycling program can’t take them.

Do you have a question you’d like answered? Feel free to fill out our Google form  here  or email me at [email protected].

Question: Where can you recycle other materials such as batteries, plastic film, makeup containers, etc.?

Answer: Most county curbside programs don’t accept these items, but specific retail programs do. Our Upstate recycling guide provides a list of what county programs accept for items like makeup containers or plastic bags.

So, you’ve just reached the bottom of your foundation container. It’s time for a new one, but you don’t want to throw the old one away. While you're at it, you’ve got a handful of plastic bags from the grocery store you’d like to get rid of. You’ve heard you can’t put them in your curbside recycling or drop them off at your local recycling site, but you’re unsure where they can go besides the landfill.

As is often the case with recycling, It depends.

Generally, county and municipal recycling can accept items like cardboard, paper and metal. Some counties can take glass and have a slightly more expansive list of items, but very few can accept plastic bags.

Why can’t recycling companies just take everything and reuse it?

In short, recycling costs money. Previously, counties in South Carolina made money from recycling, but now it costs them .

Plastic bags can get stuck in the processing material, ruining equipment or injuring workers. Similarly, some companies don’t accept bagged recycling because when workers opened it previously, sharp items would injure them – if a bag comes through today, it goes to the landfill. Glass can shatter and damage the equipment or the other recyclable items around it, and food that isn’t properly cleaned can mold and invite pests. Even a used battery can start a fire if it’s improperly handled.

Read more: Recycling do’s and don’t’s

South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control has a list of items to avoid placing in your local recycling called the “ Dirty Dozen ,” which includes items like:

• Plastic bags and bagged recyclables
• Food and liquids
• Scrap metal
• Batteries and chemicals

Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons it’s important to pay attention to what your local program accepts let’s discuss what you should do if you want to keep some of these items out of the landfill.

What to do with used batteries

First, not all batteries are the same.

Specific recycling programs will accept lead-acid batteries at drop-off locations, such as those in cars. County programs in South Carolina may also have hazardous collection days for particular items.

Once you’ve identified what your local program accepts, you can look at the type of batteries you have and begin sorting them by type.

If you want to recycle single-use batteries, recycling company Call2Recyle has more than 16,000 drop-off sites nationwide. On its website, you can enter your location and the type of battery you’re looking to recycle to see available drop-off sites near you . Call2Recyle also accepts some rechargeable batteries.

Batteries Plus recycles rechargeable batteries, lightbulbs, and electronics. Like Call2Recycle, you can enter your location on their website to find the closest store. They also have an online list of items they accept.

DHEC recommends taping the battery's terminals to prevent charges and placing it in a cardboard or plastic container. Do not place it in a bag with other items.

More information about how to recycle batteries is available on the DHEC website .

What to do with plastic bags and film

According to a spokesperson from DHEC, plastic bags or films like plastic wrap are generally not accepted in any recycling program or drop-off location.

If you still want to find a new life for your plastic, several retailers in South Carolina have partnered with a company called Trex, which accepts plastic bags and similar items. You can find these recycling bins outside retail stores near the main entrance. In South Carolina, Trex works with stores like Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Ingalls, and Sprouts Farmers Market, among others.

If you’re dropping off plastic at a Trex location, ensure it’s clean and free of food residue.

You can recycle:

• Pallet and stretch film
• Grocery bags
• Bread and produce bags
• Case wrapping, such as what you’d find on a case of water bottles
• Air pillows and bubble wrap
• Shipping envelopes
• Ziploc bags
• Newspaper bags

A complete list of acceptable items and participating locations are available on the Trex website.

What to do with cosmetics containers

Reusing your cosmetics containers depends on what you’re trying to recycle.

Items like empty aerosol cans, metal containers and some plastic bottles may be accepted through your local program. If not, there are several companies that offer drop-off and shipping options for used beauty and cosmetics products.

TerraCycle is a company that offers several different recycling options for items that aren’t typically accepted in curbside programs. In some cases, you can join a program for specific brands or items and receive a prepaid shipping label. The programs are free to participate in.

But the transportation sector contributes to 29% of U.S. emissions , so if you want to avoid shipping, TerraCycle also works with Nordstrom to offer drop-off sites for beauty products and packaging. The only Nordstrom Rack drop-off location in the Upstate is in Greenville.

Another company called Pact has a wider range of drop-off sites in the Upstate . You can find Pact bins at stores like Ulta and Sephora. Any beauty products must be cleaned out before you drop them off. You can find more information about what products are accepted and what condition they need to be in on Pact’s website.

Your options don’t stop here

DHEC recommends Ridwell as another alternative program to recycle difficult items. They provide bags that they pick up from your front door every two weeks if you’re in their service area. Ridwell accepts plastic film, batteries and lightbulbs, along with clothes and textiles.

Each pickup cycle, you can choose one extra pickup category, like bottle caps, flat lids or bread tags.

If you’re trying to recycle one item, use Earth911’s recycling search program. You’ll identify the item you’re trying to recycle and your zip code for a list of recycling centers nearby.

This is not an exhaustive list; every location and program can differ. It’s essential to check with your local recycling provider or call a store beforehand to ensure they’re participating. For more information about recycling in your county , visit the DHEC website . For an overview of recycling in the Upstate, v isit our recycling guide.

Sarah Swetlik covers climate change and environmental issues in South Carolina's Upstate for The Greenville News.   Reach her at [email protected] or on X at @sarahgswetlik .