How to use ‘Et al.’ correctly
A couple of weeks ago I wrote that in-text references are a ‘quick link’ to the reference list. ‘Et al.’ is simply a way of making your in-text reference more correct and concise. Where a source document has been written by many authors, you should replace all but the first author’s surname with ‘et al.’
Example of In-Text Citation
For example, John Smith, Sam Jones, and Jane Green’s book published in 2008 is cited as ‘(Smith et al., 2008).’ The surname in the main text will always be the one under which the source is alphabetically listed at the end.
Correctly understanding “Et Al.”
The term “et al.” is Latin shorthand for ‘et alii,’ ‘et aliae,’ or ‘et alia,’ meaning ‘and the others.’ The ending changes depending on the gender of those being referred to. Since ‘et al.’ is an abbreviation, it’s important to remember the full stop at the end of ‘al.’
Reference List Guidelines Citation
However, when listing sources in your reference list, ‘et al.’ should never be used. The full names of all authors must be provided to ensure clarity and accuracy. This not only properly credits all contributors but also allows readers to identify the precise source. For example: ‘Smith, J., Jones, S., Green, J., and Brown, T. (2008) Harvard Referencing – All You Need to Know, Oxford: Oxford University Press.’
Importance of Acknowledging All Authors
While “et al.” is a helpful tool for in-text referencing, its omission from the reference list reflects the need for full transparency. Each author’s contribution to a paper, article, or book must be properly acknowledged, ensuring that academic referencing remains thorough and precise.
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Some helpful resources:
Harvard Library – Using ‘et al.’ in Citations
Harvard Library provides a comprehensive guide to using “et al.” in citations, making it a primary resource for understanding the Harvard referencing style.
Leeds University Library – Harvard Referencing Examples
Leeds University Library provides clear examples of how to use “et al.” correctly in Harvard style citations, which can be especially useful for those new to this citation format.
