Let’s be honest — we all fall back on “etc.” a little too often. Whether it’s in an email, essay, or social media post, this tiny shortcut sneaks in when we run out of words or don’t want to list more examples. But overusing it can make our writing sound lazy or unfinished. I’ve been there too — trying to sound clear and professional but ending up with a sentence that looks rushed.
That’s why I put together this list of 25 creative and natural alternatives to “etc.” These words and phrases help you sound smarter, more polished, and more expressive in your speech or writing. Each one fits a slightly different situation, whether you’re explaining ideas, giving examples, or wrapping up a point.
By using these fresh alternatives, you’ll not only make your communication clearer but also show real command over language. Ready to make your sentences shine? Let’s explore the best ways to say “etc.” — without sounding repetitive or robotic.
Alternatives to “Etc.”
1. And so on
This phrase works when listing a few examples and suggesting there’s more in the same category. It’s casual but clear.
Examples:
- We packed sandwiches, fruit, juice, and so on for the picnic.
- The store sells chairs, tables, lamps, and so on.
- She enjoys reading novels, writing stories, and so on.
- I need paper, pens, clips, and so on from the office.
- The company offers marketing, branding, consulting, and so on.
Why it works:
It sounds natural and familiar, great for both informal and semi-formal writing.
2. Among others
This one is great when you want to sound a little more formal or polished. It highlights that your list is only part of a larger group.
Examples:
- We discussed climate change, energy, and sustainability, among others.
- She’s worked with Apple, Google, and Microsoft, among others.
- I enjoy sports like tennis and swimming, among others.
- They donated to schools, hospitals, among others.
- The artist used oil, charcoal, and ink, among others.
Why it works:
It gives your sentence a refined, professional tone, perfect for reports, essays, or emails.
3. And the like
Use this when you want to refer to things of a similar kind. It’s simple, neat, and slightly more descriptive than “etc.”
Examples:
- The meal included pasta, salad, soup, and the like.
- She enjoys camping, hiking, climbing, and the like.
- He listens to jazz, blues, rock, and the like.
- The park had swings, slides, seesaws, and the like.
- We discussed safety, teamwork, leadership, and the like.
Why it works:
It’s easy to use and fits everyday writing, keeping your tone natural and clear.
4. Such as
This phrase is perfect for giving examples directly. It sounds confident and fits smoothly into both writing and speech.
Examples:
- She loves tropical fruits, such as mangoes and pineapples.
- He enjoys strategy games, such as chess.
- The museum features art from countries such as France and Italy.
- We used materials such as wood and stone.
- The class discussed topics such as economics and culture.
Why it works:
It helps introduce examples naturally and makes your sentences more specific.
5. To name a few
This phrase gives a friendly, conversational touch and fits perfectly in casual or creative writing.
Examples:
- She’s skilled in design, writing, and photography, to name a few.
- The company offers social media, email, and SEO marketing, to name a few.
- He’s visited Paris, Rome, and Madrid, to name a few.
- I’ve tried painting, pottery, and baking, to name a few.
- They’ve hosted concerts, plays, and exhibitions, to name a few.
Why it works:
It adds warmth and personality to your tone while hinting that there’s more you could mention.
6. As well as
Use “as well as” when you want to smoothly add one or more items to your list without sounding repetitive. It connects ideas more gently than “and.”
Examples:
- We packed sandwiches as well as snacks for the road trip.
- She’s talented in painting as well as photography.
- The team focuses on creativity as well as productivity.
- He teaches math as well as science.
- The new policy affects employees as well as managers.
Why it works:
It’s clear, balanced, and professional, making sentences flow better and sound thoughtful.
7. Along with
“Along with” shows that one thing is accompanied by another. It’s friendly and fits both casual and formal writing.
Examples:
- She brought her notebook along with her laptop.
- The teacher handed out pencils along with the test papers.
- I’ll grab coffee along with breakfast on my way.
- The chef served fries along with the burger.
- We’ll update the website along with the app.
Why it works:
It sounds natural and inclusive, smoothly connecting ideas in everyday writing.
8. Including
“Including” is ideal when you want to show part of a group without listing everything. It’s direct and works in almost any context.
Examples:
- The store sells clothing including jackets and jeans.
- Several countries, including Japan and Canada, signed the deal.
- The workshop covers topics including budgeting and planning.
- He adopted several pets, including two cats.
- We visited several cities, including Chicago and New York.
Why it works:
It’s versatile, precise, and polished, suitable for professional or academic writing.
9. To name a few
This phrase highlights examples in a warm, conversational way. It helps you wrap up a list naturally.
Examples:
- The restaurant serves sushi, pasta, and tacos, to name a few.
- She enjoys hiking, reading, and gardening, to name a few.
- The conference covered AI, data security, and cloud computing, to name a few.
- We’ve seen rain, wind, and fog, to name a few, this week.
- The artist painted portraits, landscapes, and murals, to name a few.
Why it works:
It gives your sentence a friendly, personal touch and helps the list feel complete without overloading detail.
10. And more
Short, modern, and easy to use, “and more” is perfect for wrapping up lists clearly without sounding repetitive.
Examples:
- The site offers guides, videos, templates, and more.
- The store sells shoes, bags, jewelry, and more.
- You can find coffee, pastries, snacks, and more at the café.
- Our training covers writing, editing, design, and more.
- We offer packages for weddings, birthdays, events, and more.
Why it works:
It’s concise and adaptable, great for marketing, writing, or conversation.
11. Plus others
This phrase is friendly and fits well when you want to show there are more examples without sounding too formal.
Examples:
- The program includes yoga, pilates, plus others.
- She’s visited Thailand, Malaysia, plus others.
- We’ve tested Chrome, Safari, plus others for compatibility.
- The course teaches writing, public speaking, plus others.
- They supply cotton, linen, silk, plus others.
Why it works:
It’s simple and conversational, helping your list sound open-ended but natural.
Read More: Professional Ways to Say “Stay in Your Lane”
12. In addition to
“In addition to” works beautifully when you want to emphasize extra points or examples.
Examples:
- In addition to studying, she works part-time.
- The company offers health benefits in addition to paid leave.
- He writes novels in addition to teaching English.
- The tour includes food in addition to sightseeing.
- We’re adding tutorials in addition to live sessions.
Why it works:
It makes writing sound organized and thoughtful, showing you’ve added more information intentionally.
13. Plus
“Plus” is short, casual, and modern. It connects ideas easily without sounding stiff.
Examples:
- She’s kind, funny, plus super smart.
- We’ll have pizza, soda, plus dessert.
- The plan includes basic coverage, plus extra features.
- He works hard, plus he helps everyone.
- I bought bread, milk, plus some fruit.
Why it works:
It’s friendly and direct, ideal for casual writing, ads, or speech.
14. As an example
“As an example” is useful when you want to illustrate an idea or concept clearly.
Examples:
- Take social media as an example of rapid communication.
- Use water pollution as an example of environmental issues.
- The teacher mentioned Einstein as an example of persistence.
- Consider teamwork as an example of leadership in action.
- Think of photosynthesis as an example of a natural process.
Why it works:
It’s educational and specific, making your explanations stronger and clearer.
15. For instance
“For instance” is slightly more formal than “for example” and fits naturally in both writing and speech.
Examples:
- Many plants, for instance ferns, grow well in shade.
- Some apps, for instance calendars, help you stay organized.
- Several sports, for instance swimming, improve endurance.
- Some countries, for instance Japan, value punctuality.
- There are animals, for instance dolphins, known for intelligence.
Why it works:
It’s versatile and smooth, adding variety to your writing without repetition.
16. And beyond
This phrase extends your list in a creative and modern way. It suggests more without being vague.
Examples:
- The company serves clients across Asia and beyond.
- Her influence spreads through film, music, and beyond.
- They provide tech, training, support, and beyond.
- The story explores love, courage, hope, and beyond.
- We deliver across the city and beyond.
Why it works:
It feels expansive and expressive, great for marketing, storytelling, or emotional writing.
17. You get the idea
This phrase adds a relaxed, human tone — as if talking to a friend.
Examples:
- I love long walks, quiet cafés, rainy days — you get the idea.
- He’s got cars, bikes, gadgets — you get the idea.
- They’re all talented, creative, full of energy — you get the idea.
- I’ve seen sunsets, beaches, forests — you get the idea.
- The class covers grammar, writing, editing — you get the idea.
Why it works:
It sounds authentic and conversational, making your writing feel personal.
18. Et al.
Used mostly in academic or formal contexts, “et al.” means “and others.”
Examples:
- The study was conducted by Smith et al.
- Johnson et al. published the research in 2023.
- The report cites Brown et al. for data sources.
- The findings align with Garcia et al.’s theory.
- Similar results were noted by Taylor et al.
Why it works:
It’s precise and formal, perfect for academic papers or citations.
19. And everything in between
A warm, expressive way to capture a range of things between two extremes.
Examples:
- The shop sells dresses, jackets, and everything in between.
- We talked about love, life, and everything in between.
- The movie has laughter, tears, and everything in between.
- They offer breakfast, dinner, and everything in between.
- The event had music, food, fun, and everything in between.
Why it works:
It adds color and rhythm, making writing feel real and alive.
20. To illustrate
Used when you want to explain something with a clear example.
Examples:
- To illustrate, let’s look at how habits shape success.
- To illustrate, imagine you’re saving money each week.
- To illustrate, consider the effects of pollution.
- To illustrate, think about teamwork in sports.
- To illustrate, look at the changes in temperature.
Why it works:
It’s helpful and academic, making complex ideas easy to understand.
21. Among other things
This phrase helps you mention examples while showing there’s more in the same category. It’s flexible and works in both formal and casual writing.
Examples:
- The report discusses water quality and air pollution, among other things.
- She’s responsible for managing budgets and schedules, among other things.
- They talked about culture, music, and travel, among other things.
- The team handled research and data analysis, among other things.
- He teaches writing, editing, and presentation skills, among other things.
Why it works:
It gives your writing a professional, balanced tone while keeping it conversational and clear.
22. In particular
Use “in particular” when you want to highlight something specific from a list or topic. It adds focus and makes your sentence sound thoughtful.
Examples:
- I love Italian food, in particular, pasta and risotto.
- The teacher praised Sarah, in particular, for her essay.
- He enjoys outdoor activities, in particular, hiking and camping.
- The company targets young professionals, in particular, recent graduates.
- I noticed the red roses, in particular, stood out beautifully.
Why it works:
It’s precise and elegant, helping your reader focus on a key example or detail.
23. Namely
“Namely” introduces specific examples in a clear, direct way. It’s formal but easy to use when you want to sound accurate.
Examples:
- Three cities were affected, namely, New York, Chicago, and Boston.
- The company faces two issues, namely, high costs and low sales.
- She’s skilled in several languages, namely, English, Spanish, and French.
- The study looked at two groups, namely, adults and children.
- We visited the main landmarks, namely, the castle and museum.
Why it works:
It’s precise, structured, and professional, perfect for business or academic writing.
24. Along those lines
This phrase shows you’re referring to things similar in style, type, or idea. It’s conversational but smart.
Examples:
- We discussed topics along those lines, like teamwork and trust.
- I’m thinking of something along those lines for the project.
- Her new book is written along those lines too.
- They’re planning a campaign along those lines next month.
- We need ideas along those lines for the next meeting.
Why it works:
It’s relaxed yet expressive, great for showing connection or similarity in ideas.
25. Or so
This phrase helps estimate or round off numbers and quantities in a friendly, natural way.
Examples:
- There were fifty people, or so, at the event.
- It’ll take an hour, or so, to get there.
- The team worked ten hours, or so, to finish.
- He’s visited five countries, or so, this year.
- We raised $500, or so, for charity.
Why it works:
It adds a casual, human tone and makes your writing sound easygoing and real.
Conclusion
Using “etc.” again and again can make your writing sound dull or rushed. But with these 25 better ways to say “etc.”, you now have a full set of phrases that make your sentences clearer, livelier, and more natural.
Each alternative adds its own flavor — from professional options like “among others” to friendly choices like “you get the idea.” Whether you’re writing an email, an article, or just chatting online, picking the right phrase shows you care about clarity and tone.
Language is more than just words; it’s how you express your style and confidence. Start trying out a few of these alternatives today, and you’ll notice how your writing instantly feels smarter, smoother, and more personal.
I’m Leo Knox, the wordplay wizard behind WordsTwists.com where I turn everyday meanings into funny, clever, and creative twists. If you’re tired of saying things the boring way, I’ve got a better (and funnier) one for you!
