How to Check Et Al. Usage in APA Citations

Complete guide to checking et al. usage in APA citations. Learn author count rules, when to use et al., and common formatting errors.

Why Et Al Matters in APA Citations

Impact on Readability

Proper Et Al formatting ensures your reference list is professional and easy to read. When Et Al is formatted correctly, readers can quickly identify the key components of each citation and locate the sources themselves.

Impact on Credibility

Et Al errors can undermine your academic credibility. Instructors and journal editors often view formatting mistakes as a lack of attention to detail, which may affect how they evaluate the quality of your research.

Common Consequences

• Grade deductions: Typical penalties range from 1-5 points per error
• Journal rejections: Many journals reject papers with formatting issues without review
• Reader confusion: Incorrect Et Al can make sources difficult to identify

What Correct Et Al Formatting Looks Like

Rules for Using et al. in APA Citations

In APA 7th edition, "et al." is used in citations when a work has three or more authors. For in-text citations, include the first author's last name followed by "et al." For example, if you are citing a work by Smith, Johnson, and Lee, you would write (Smith et al., 2020).

In the reference list, however, you must list up to 20 authors in the entry. If there are 21 or more authors, include the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis, and then the final author's name. For example: Smith, J., Johnson, L., Lee, R., Brown, A., Harris, T., Martin, K., Green, S., White, D., Clark, E., Lewis, M., Walker, N., Hall, Q., Young, O., Allen, P., King, G., Wright, J., Scott, R., Torres, C., Murphy, L., ... Thompson, H. (2020).

Remember, the use of "et al." helps streamline citations while maintaining clarity in academic writing. It is essential to follow these rules to ensure proper attribution and to avoid plagiarism.

Official APA Guidance:

APA Guidance for et_al Formatting

In APA 7th edition, the term "et al." is used in in-text citations when a work has three or more authors. For the first citation, list only the first author's last name followed by "et al." For example, if the authors are Smith, Johnson, and Lee, the citation would appear as (Smith et al., 2020). In the reference list, you must include all authors' names for works with up to 20 authors, but for sources with more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis, and then add the final author's name.

Specific Exceptions and Considerations

It is important to note that "et al." should be used only in in-text citations. In the reference list, you must provide full author names for up to 20 authors. Additionally, if a work has only one or two authors, list all authors' names in both in-text citations and the reference list. This specificity helps maintain clarity and gives proper credit to all contributors.

Examples and Explanations

1. In-text citation for three or more authors:
   - First citation: (Smith, Johnson, & Lee, 2020)
   - Subsequent citations: (Smith et al., 2020)

In this case, for the first citation, all three authors are listed. For subsequent citations, only the first author’s last name is used followed by "et al."

2. Reference list citation:
   - For three authors:
   • Smith, J., Johnson, L., & Lee, R. (2020). Title of the work. Publisher.
   • For 21 authors:
   • Smith, J., Johnson, L., Lee, R., Brown, T., Davis, K., Wilson, M., Taylor, J., Anderson, C., Thomas, A., Jackson, P., White, G., Harris, R., Martin, S., Thompson, N., Garcia, E., Martinez, F., Robinson, H., Hall, J., ... Miller, D. (2020). Title of the work. Publisher.

In the second example, you see that after 19 authors, an ellipsis is used before listing the final author's name. This keeps the reference list manageable while still providing credit to most contributors.

Importance of Following APA Rules

Following these rules is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring that all authors receive appropriate credit. Proper citation practices help readers locate the original sources and provide a clear understanding of the contributions made by each author. Adhering to APA guidelines fosters a professional writing style and enhances the credibility of academic work.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Always double-check the number of authors before deciding whether to use "et al."
• Remember that "et al." is not italicized and should be written with a period after "al."
• Avoid using "et al." in the reference list. Always include full author names for works with up to 20 authors.
• Be cautious with citations in different sections of your paper. Ensure consistency in how you cite works throughout your document.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "et al." in your academic writing, ensuring compliance with APA 7th edition standards.

Visual Examples

Correct Format:
✅ Here is the correctly formatted example of an APA citation using "et al." for a work with multiple authors:

Reference List Citation:

Smith, J. A., Johnson, L. B., & Thompson, R. C. (2020). The effects of social media on academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(3), 456-467. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000456

In-Text Citation:

(Smith et al., 2020)

In cases where there are three or more authors, you can use "et al." in the in-text citation after the first author's last name.

Incorrect Format:
❌ ## Incorrect Example of et_al in APA Citation

Smith, J., Johnson, R., et al. (2020). The effects of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 12(3), 45-67.

Explanation of the Error

In this example, the citation incorrectly uses "et al." after listing only two authors. According to APA guidelines, "et al." is used only when citing a source with three or more authors. Therefore, since there are only two authors in this case, both should be listed in the citation.

Correct Formatting

The correct citation should read:

Smith, J., & Johnson, R. (2020). The effects of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 12(3), 45-67.

Importance of Correct Formatting

Using "et al." incorrectly can lead to confusion and misrepresentation of the work being cited. It is essential to follow APA guidelines to ensure that readers can accurately trace the source material. Proper attribution is vital in academic writing for clarity and credibility.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

1. Remember the Number of Authors: Always check how many authors are listed in a source before deciding to use "et al." Only use it for three or more authors.

2. Double-Check Your Sources: Ensure you have the correct information from your sources to avoid mistakes in attribution.

3. Stay Updated on APA Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the latest edition of the APA Manual, as citation rules can change.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can avoid common mistakes and ensure that your academic writing is clear and properly formatted.

Key Rules to Remember

Key Rules for Using et al. in APA Citations

Using "et al." in APA citations is essential for accurately attributing sources with multiple authors. Here are the most important rules to remember to ensure academic integrity and proper citation practices.

1. Use "et al." for Works with Three or More Authors

• When citing a work with three or more authors, list only the first author's last name followed by "et al." in both in-text citations and reference list entries.
• Example:
• In-text citation: (Smith et al., 2020)
• Reference list entry: Smith, J., Johnson, A., Lee, R., & Thompson, K. (2020). Title of the work. Publisher.

2. Include All Authors for Works with One or Two Authors

• If a work has one or two authors, you must list all authors’ names in your citations.
• Example:
• For one author: (Doe, 2021)
• For two authors: (Doe & Brown, 2021)
• Reference list entry for one author: Doe, J. (2021). Title of the work. Publisher.
• Reference list entry for two authors: Doe, J., & Brown, S. (2021). Title of the work. Publisher.

3. Consistency in Citation Style

• Ensure consistent use of "et al." across your document. If you introduce a source with "et al." in-text, it should match the reference list formatting.
• Example:
• In-text: "As discussed by Smith et al. (2020)..." should have a corresponding reference that starts with "Smith, J."

4. Use of Italics and Periods

• In the reference list, ensure "et al." is not italicized and is followed by a period. This is crucial for correct formatting.
• Example:
• Correct: Smith, J., et al. (2020). Title of the work. Publisher.
• Incorrect: Smith, J., et al. (2020). Title of the work. Publisher.

Importance of These Rules

Following these rules is vital for maintaining academic integrity. Properly attributing sources prevents plagiarism and gives due credit to original ideas, which upholds the standards of scholarly work. Misusing "et al." can lead to confusion regarding authorship and may undermine the credibility of your work.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Double-check author counts: Before deciding to use "et al.," verify the total number of authors involved.
• Adhere to formatting guidelines: Keep a checklist of APA format rules, especially regarding italics and punctuation.
• Use citation management tools: These tools can help automate the process of formatting citations correctly, reducing the risk of errors.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "et al." in your APA citations while contributing positively to academic discourse.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Et Al

Follow this systematic process to validate Et Al in your citations:

Preparation (1-2 minutes)

Step 1: Gather your citations
- [ ] Open your reference list
- [ ] Have APA manual or guide available
- [ ] Note which source types you have

Step 2: Understand what to check
- [ ] Review Et Al rules
- [ ] Note differences by source type
- [ ] Identify your high-risk citations

Checking Process (3-5 minutes per citation)

What You Need

Before you begin checking “et al.” in APA citations, ensure you have the following:

• Access to the APA Publication Manual (7th edition) or an online APA style guide.
• A list of references you need to check.
• A computer or notebook for taking notes.
• A timer or clock to manage your time effectively.

Step 1: Understand the Concept of "Et Al."

Action: Familiarize yourself with the meaning of "et al." In APA style, "et al." is used in citations when a source has multiple authors. It stands for "et alia," which means "and others" in Latin.

Verification: Check if you can explain what “et al.” signifies in the context of citations. If you can articulate this to someone else, you have a good grasp of the concept.

Time Estimate: 10 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Take notes on the number of authors that require "et al." This will help you remember the rule.

Step 2: Identify the Number of Authors

Action: Look at your source material and determine how many authors are listed for each reference.

Verification: Count the authors for each reference. In APA style, if a source has three or more authors, you will use "et al." in subsequent citations after the first.

Time Estimate: 15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Create a quick table to track the number of authors for each citation.

Step 3: Check the Formatting of the Citation

Action: Review the format of your citations to ensure they follow APA guidelines. Citations should include author names, publication year, title, and source information.

Verification: Compare each citation against the APA guidelines. Ensure that author names are in the correct order, and check for proper capitalization and punctuation.

Time Estimate: 20 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use citation management software to help format citations correctly. This can save time and reduce errors.

Step 4: Verify Consistency Across Citations

Action: Ensure that you are consistent in your use of "et al." for all citations that require it. If you have multiple sources by the same authors, make sure you apply "et al." in the same way.

Verification: Review each citation and confirm that you have applied "et al." uniformly. For example, if you cite Smith, Johnson, and Lee in one instance, you should follow the same format in all following citations.

Time Estimate: 15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a checklist to mark off each citation as you confirm its consistency. This will help you stay organized.

Step 5: Apply APA Rules for First and Subsequent Citations

Action: Make sure you understand the difference between the first citation and subsequent citations. In the first citation of a work with three or more authors, list all authors. In subsequent citations, use the first author's last name followed by "et al."

Verification: Check that your first citations include all authors’ names and that other citations for the same work use "et al." correctly.

Time Estimate: 15 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Highlight the first citation in your reference list for easy identification. This will remind you to include all authors.

Step 6: Check for Correct Placement of "Et Al."

Action: Ensure that "et al." is placed correctly in the citation. In-text citations should include the first author's last name followed by "et al." and the publication year.

Verification: Review your in-text citations to confirm that "et al." is used appropriately. For instance, it should look like this: (Smith et al., 2020).

Time Estimate: 10 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the find feature on your computer (Ctrl + F) to quickly locate instances of "et al." in your document.

Step 7: Review the Reference List

Action: Finally, check your reference list to verify that all sources are listed correctly. Ensure that any source that has been cited with "et al." is also correctly formatted in the reference list.

Verification: Cross-reference your in-text citations with the reference list. Confirm that every citation is accounted for with the correct formatting.

Time Estimate: 20 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a spreadsheet to keep track of which citations have been checked and confirmed. This will help streamline the process.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your use of "et al." in APA citations is accurate and consistent. This attention to detail will enhance the professionalism and credibility of your writing.

Verification (1-2 minutes)

Step 3: Cross-check all citations
- [ ] Compare similar citations for consistency
- [ ] Verify against official APA examples
- [ ] Use automated checker for verification

Step 4: Document changes
- [ ] Track which citations were corrected
- [ ] Note patterns in your errors
- [ ] Save corrected version

Time-Saving Tips

💡 Batch similar source types: Check all journal articles together, then all books, etc.

💡 Use Find & Replace: Use Find & Replace for...

💡 Create a checklist: Print the validation checklist and check off as you go

Common Et Al Errors

These are the most frequent Et Al errors found in APA citations:

Author Name Not Inverted

How common: Appears in very_common% of citations

What it looks like:
❌ Mary K. Johnson (2020). The study of psychology.

Why it's wrong:
Students use regular name format instead of APA's inverted format for reference lists

How to spot it:
Move last name to beginning followed by comma in formatting

How to fix:
✅ Johnson, M. K. (2020). The study of psychology.

Quick fix: Ensure proper comma after last name and periods after initials

Using 'et al.' Too Early

How common: Appears in common% of citations

What it looks like:
❌ Smith, J. D., et al. (2020). The study.

Why it's wrong:
Students apply old APA 6 rules of 7+ authors, not knowing APA 7 lists up to 20 authors

How to spot it:
List all authors if there are 20 or fewer in reference list

How to fix:
✅ Smith, J. D., Brown, A. M., Davis, L. K., & Wilson, R. T. (2020). The study.

Quick fix: Check total author count before applying et al. formatting

Incorrect Organization Author Format

How common: Appears in moderate% of citations

What it looks like:
❌ Association, American Psychological (2020). The guide.

Why it's wrong:
Students treat organizations like personal authors, inverting names or using abbreviations

How to spot it:
Use full organization name in normal order without inversion

How to fix:
✅ American Psychological Association (2020). The guide.

Quick fix: Check organization's preferred name format for citations

Missing Author Information

How common: Appears in common% of citations

What it looks like:
❌ (2020). The study of psychology.

Why it's wrong:
Students don't know to move title to author position when no author is available

How to spot it:
Move title to author position when no author is listed

How to fix:
✅ The study of psychology. (2020).

Quick fix: Ensure title is properly capitalized when moved to author position

Incorrect Double Surname Handling

How common: Appears in uncommon% of citations

What it looks like:
❌ Hernandez, Lopez, M. R.

Why it's wrong:
Students treat double surnames like first and last names, adding unnecessary commas

How to spot it:
Keep double surname as single unit without splitting

How to fix:
✅ Hernandez Lopez, M. R.

Quick fix: Research author's preferred name format if uncertain

Error Frequency Chart

Severity Key:
- High: Affects citation accuracy or findability
- Medium: Formatting issue that doesn't affect meaning
- Low: Style preference

How Et Al Varies by Source Type

Different source types have different Et Al requirements:

Journal Articles

Et Al format: According to APA guidelines, when a journal article has three or more authors, only the first author's surname should be listed followed by "et al." in the in-text citation. For the reference list, the first six authors should be listed, followed by "et al." if there are more than six authors.
What to check: - Verify the total number of authors.
- Ensure you are using the correct format for both in-text citations and reference listings.
- Confirm the spelling of author names and the publication year.
Example: - In-text citation: (Smith et al., 2020)
- Reference list: Smith, J., Johnson, R., Lee, T., Brown, A., Garcia, M., & Patel, K. et al. (2020). Title of the article. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxx

Books

Et Al format: For books with three or more authors, the first author's surname is followed by "et al." in both in-text citations and the reference list if there are more than 20 authors. If there are between 3 and 20 authors, list all authors in the reference.
What to check: - Count the total number of authors.
- Ensure proper formatting of the title and capitalization.
- Confirm the edition or volume if applicable.
Example: - In-text citation: (Johnson et al., 2019)
- Reference list: Johnson, L., Smith, R., Lee, T., et al. (2019). Title of the Book. Publisher.

Book Chapters

Et Al format: When citing a chapter in an edited book with multiple authors, if the chapter has three or more authors, use "et al." for in-text citations. In the reference list, if the chapter has up to 20 authors, list all authors. If there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19 followed by an ellipsis and then the last author's name.
What to check: - Verify the number of authors for the chapter.
- Ensure the editors of the book are included in the citation.
- Confirm the title of the chapter and book are formatted correctly.
Example: - In-text citation: (Clark et al., 2021)
- Reference list: Clark, A., Roberts, B., Miller, J., et al. (2021). Title of the chapter. In E. Editor (Ed.), Title of the Book (pp. xx-xx). Publisher.

Webpages

Et Al format: For webpages with three or more authors, the in-text citation should include the first author's surname followed by "et al." For the reference list, follow the same guideline as for books, where if there are 21 or more authors, list the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis and the last author's name.
What to check: - Confirm that the webpage is a reliable source.
- Verify the authorship of the content.
- Check the publication date and retrieval date if required.
Example: - In-text citation: (Taylor et al., 2022)
- Reference list: Taylor, J., Smith, L., Johnson, R., et al. (2022). Title of the webpage. Website Name. URL

Reports

Et Al format: For reports authored by organizations or groups, if the report has more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis and the last author's name in the reference. In-text citations should use "et al." for three or more authors.
What to check: - Confirm the organization or authorship of the report.
- Ensure the report title is italicized.
- Check for the correct publication year.
Example: - In-text citation: (World Health Organization et al., 2023)
- Reference list: World Health Organization, Smith, A., Johnson, B., et al. (2023). Title of the report. Publisher. URL

Et Al Validation Checklist

Use this checklist to systematically validate Et Al:

Pre-Check Setup

• [ ] Reference list open and visible
• [ ] APA guide available
• [ ] Highlighter or tracking system ready

Check Each Citation For:

Post-Check Verification

• [ ] All citations checked
• [ ] Corrections made
• [ ] Consistency across similar citations
• [ ] Cross-checked problematic citations

Final Check

• [ ] Run automated validation
• [ ] Review any flagged items
• [ ] Document completion date

Citations Checked: ___ / ___
Errors Found: ___
Errors Fixed: ___

Tools & Tips for Checking Et Al

Word Processing Features

Microsoft Word:
- Find feature: To use the Find feature in Microsoft Word, press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac). This opens a navigation pane. Type 'et al.' into the search box. The document will highlight instances of 'et al.' so you can review them for correctness.
- Find & Replace: To use Find & Replace, press Ctrl+H (or Cmd+Shift+H on Mac). In the 'Find what' box, type 'et al.' and in the 'Replace with' box, enter the correct format (e.g., 'et al.'). Click 'Replace All' to make bulk corrections throughout the document.
- Styles panel: To use the Styles panel, go to the 'Home' tab and find the 'Styles' section. Highlight the text you want to format, then click on the desired style (e.g., 'Normal' for body text) to apply consistent formatting to your citations.

Google Docs:
- Find feature: In Google Docs, press Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac) to open the Find feature. Type 'et al.' in the search box. The document will highlight all occurrences, allowing you to easily locate and review each citation.
- Add-ons: To use Add-ons in Google Docs for citation checking, click on 'Extensions' in the menu, then 'Add-ons' and 'Get add-ons.' Search for citation tools like 'EasyBib' or 'Zotero' to help manage and verify your citations.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac): Find
• Ctrl+H (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+H (Mac): Find & Replace

Search Strategies

To find potential errors:
Use search patterns like 'et al.' with different spacing or punctuation to catch errors. Search for common phrases like 'et al' without a period or variations in capitalization. Check all citations systematically by going through each reference section and ensuring compliance with APA style.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• ⚠️ Using 'et al.' incorrectly with two authors instead of three or more.
• ⚠️ Neglecting to check for proper punctuation and formatting around 'et al.'
• ⚠️ Forgetting to update 'et al.' in citations after making changes to author lists.

Before & After Examples

These examples show common Et Al errors and their corrections:

Example 1: A student is writing a research paper and cites a study by Smith, Johnson, and Lee from 2021, but incorrectly uses 'et al.' in the in-text citation after listing all authors in the reference list.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, A., Johnson, B., & Lee, C. (2021). The effects of climate change on urban environments. Journal of Environmental Studies, 45(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2021.5678. (Smith, Johnson, & Lee, 2021)

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, A., Johnson, B., & Lee, C. (2021). The effects of climate change on urban environments. Journal of Environmental Studies, 45(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1234/jes.2021.5678. (Smith et al., 2021)

What changed:
- Changed in-text citation from 'Smith, Johnson, & Lee, 2021' to 'Smith et al., 2021'.

Rule applied: Use 'et al.' for in-text citations of works with three or more authors after the first citation.

Example 2: A student is writing a research paper and includes a citation for a study with multiple authors. They mistakenly use 'et_al' incorrectly in the in-text citation.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ (Smith, Johnson, Brown, et al., 2023)

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ (Smith, Johnson, Brown, & Davis, 2023)

What changed:
- Replaced 'et al.' with '& Davis' for the correct author listing.
- Ensured that the citation reflects the correct number of authors mentioned.

Rule applied: APA 7th edition states that for works with three or more authors, use the first author's surname followed by 'et al.' only in subsequent citations after the first full citation.

Example 3: A student is writing a research paper and incorrectly cites a study with multiple authors using 'et al.' when there are only three authors listed.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Williams, R. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 45(3), 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1037/psyc0000456

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Williams, R. (2020). The impact of social media on mental health. Journal of Psychology, 45(3), 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1037/psyc0000456

What changed:

Rule applied: Use 'et al.' only when citing works with three or more authors in-text, not in the reference list.

Example 4: A student is writing a research paper and cites a work by multiple authors. They mistakenly use 'et_al' incorrectly in their in-text citation and reference list.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J., Johnson, A., Brown, L., & Garcia, M. (2020). Advances in psychological research. Journal of Psychology, 45(3), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpsych.2020.4567

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J., Johnson, A., Brown, L., & Garcia, M. (2020). Advances in psychological research. Journal of Psychology, 45(3), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/jpsych.2020.4567

What changed:
- Removed incorrect use of 'et_al' in the in-text citation.
- Ensured that all authors are listed in the reference entry.

Rule applied: Use 'et al.' for in-text citations when citing a work with three or more authors after the first citation.

Example 5: A student is writing a research paper on the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity. They reference a study by Smith, Johnson, and Lee published in 2020. The student incorrectly uses 'et al.' in their citation when only two authors are present.

Context:

Before (Incorrect):
❌ Smith, J., Johnson, R., et al. (2020). Effects of climate change on marine biodiversity. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 642, 1-12.

Problem identified:

After (Correct):
✅ Smith, J., Johnson, R. (2020). Effects of climate change on marine biodiversity. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 642, 1-12.

What changed:
- Removed 'et al.'
- Included all author names
- Ensured correct formatting of the citation

Rule applied: Use of et al. for citations with three or more authors

Example Summary

Related Validation Guides

Check Other Elements:

Complete Checking Guides:

• Complete Citation Checking Guide → /guides/
• Reference List Validation → /how-to-check-reference-list-apa/

Related Errors:

Source-Specific Guides:

Last Updated: October 28, 2025
Reading Time: 9 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'et al.' mean in APA citations?

'Et al.' is a Latin abbreviation meaning 'and others.' In APA citations, it is used when citing a work with multiple authors. If a source has three or more authors, you can list the first author's surname followed by 'et al.' This helps to simplify citations and avoid listing every author's name, which can be cumbersome. For example, if you are citing a work by Smith, Johnson, and Lee, you would write it as Smith et al. (2020) in the text. For more detailed guidance, refer to the APA Publication Manual or the official APA Style website.

When should I use 'et al.' in in-text citations?

You should use 'et al.' in in-text citations when a work has three or more authors. For the first in-text citation, include the first author's last name followed by 'et al.' and the year of publication. For example, you would write 'Jones et al. (2021) found that...' for subsequent citations of the same work, you can continue to use 'Jones et al. (2021).' This rule helps maintain clarity while keeping your citations concise. For works with one or two authors, you should list all authors every time you cite the work. For more information, check the APA Style guidelines.

What if a source has exactly two authors? Should I use 'et al.'?

No, you should not use 'et al.' for sources with exactly two authors. In cases where a work has two authors, you must include both names every time you cite the work. For example, if the authors are Smith and Brown, you should cite it as 'Smith and Brown (2020)' in your text. This rule helps to give proper credit to both authors. Remember, 'et al.' is only appropriate for works with three or more authors. For detailed guidelines, visit the APA Style website or refer to the APA Publication Manual.

How do I format 'et al.' in the reference list?

In the reference list, you should not use 'et al.' The complete names of all authors must be listed when you cite a source. For works with up to 20 authors, list all the authors' names in the reference entry. If a source has more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors, followed by an ellipsis (...) and then the final author's name. For example, if a work has 25 authors, the reference would look like this: First Author, A. A., Second Author, B. B., ..., Last Author, Z. Z. This ensures that all contributors are credited in the reference list. For more details, check the APA Style manual.

Can I use 'et al.' in a narrative citation?

Yes, you can use 'et al.' in a narrative citation. When you mention the authors in the text, you can write it as 'According to Taylor et al. (2019), the results indicate...' This approach is suitable when discussing the work of multiple authors within the flow of your writing. Remember that 'et al.' is used for works with three or more authors. It helps keep your writing concise while still acknowledging the contributions of the authors. For further examples and rules, refer to the APA Style guidelines available online.

What are some common mistakes when using 'et al.' in APA citations?

Common mistakes when using 'et al.' include using it for works with fewer than three authors, forgetting to italicize 'et al.,' or incorrectly applying it in the reference list. Remember, 'et al.' should only be used in in-text citations for works with three or more authors, while all authors must be listed in the reference list. Additionally, 'et al.' should not be italicized in citations. To avoid these errors, consult the APA Publication Manual or the APA Style website, which provide clear guidelines and examples to help ensure your citations are accurate.