et alii
[ˈɛt ˈa.li.iː]word by word
The English phrase "and others" is expressed in Latin as et alii.
The expression et alii, often abbreviated as et al, is used in academic literature or legal documents to refer to a group of people or authors.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of et (and) and alii (others).
Which one should you use?
While et alii refers to a group of people, the form et alia means "and other things" and is used when referring to a list of inanimate objects or concepts rather than people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The specific form you use depends on the gender of the subjects being listed. Use the masculine/mixed plural et alii when the list includes at least one male or a mixed-gender group. Use the feminine plural et aliae if the list consists exclusively of women. Use the neuter plural et alia when referring to a list of inanimate objects or concepts rather than people.
Did you know?
- The Gothic relative of et, the word iþ, can mean 'and' but also carries the meanings of 'but' or 'however'.
- In academic citations, the period in the abbreviation et al. belongs only to the word alii, not to the word et.
- In modern English legal and academic writing, et al. is often used as a shorthand for 'and colleagues' or 'and associates', though in Latin it literally just means 'and others'.
Examples in context
- Marcus, Lucius, et alii in horto sunt.Marcus, Lucius, and others are in the garden.
Example conversation
Julia and Gaius are discussing who attended a meeting.
- JuliaQuis ad conventum venit?Who came to the meeting?
- GaiusTitus et alii venerunt.Titus and others came.
- JuliaUbi sunt nunc?Where are they now?
- GaiusTitus et alii in villa sunt.Titus and others are at the villa.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (et, alii) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, CC BY-SA 4.0.
