<I>The British Council?s language clinic with ?Dr Danny?</I>

Hello and welcome to the English Language Clinic. Following last week?s article, in which I wrote about ?punctuation?, this week I have been asked about another feature of written English. In addition to ?punctuation marks? several Latin abbreviations are commonly used in informal written English.

?etc.? is an abbreviated form of ?et cetera? and is literally translated as ?and the rest? (although the expression ?and the rest? in colloquial British English is used to express the opinion that what someone has just said is untrue or exaggerated). ?etc.? is used at the end of a list to show that you have only mentioned a limited number of items. For example, ?There are several features of Mauritian English which differentiate it from British English; ?do the needful?, ?do the necessary?, etc.?

?i.e.? is an abbreviated form of ?id est?; translated as ?that is? or ?that is to say?, it is used to introduce a rephrasing or explanation of a piece of information or opinion. For example, ?The phrase ?do the needful? is seen by many as being grammatically incorrect, i.e. ?needful? is usually an adjective, not a noun.?

?e.g.? is an abbreviated form of ?exempli gratia?, translated as ?for the sake of example?, it is used to introduce examples. For example, ?There are a number of more universally recognised ways of expressing the same sense as ?do the needful?, e.g. ?do what is needed?, ?do what is necessary? and ?do what needs to be done??.

Please send your comments, queries and questions to ?Dr Danny? by emailing the following address [email protected]

Please be aware that the British Council in Mauritius does not approve or authorise the work of private language or exams preparation tutors. If you are in any doubt as to whether we are involved with such individuals, please contact us directly on +230 403 0200.