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How to Use ‘‘et al.’’ in APA Style (7th Edition)

The Term ‘‘et al.’’ is the Abbreviation of Latin Term ‘‘et elia,’’
Meaning ‘‘and others’’

The term ‘‘et al.’’ is the abbreviated form of the Latin term ‘‘et alia,’’
which means ‘‘and others.’’ It is used in academic in-text citations
when referring to a source with multiple authors. In APA style, for a
source with three or more authors, list the first author’s last name
and “et al.” for all citations, including the first citation. Note that
this rule has changed from APA 6th edition guidelines on using ‘‘et
al.’’ which recommend listing all author names in the first citation
up to five authors but then using ‘‘et al.’’ for the second and
subsequent citations.

In October 2019, the American Psychological Association (APA)

introduced the 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual, which
replaces the 6th edition. The in-intext citation for works with three
or more authors is now abbreviated right from the first citation.
You only include the first author’s name and “et al.”

(Parker, Robin, & Williams, 2018)

 (Incorrect)

(Parker et al., 2018)

(Correct)

(Alison, Brier, Levy, & Wan, 2019)

(Incorrect)

(Alison et al., 2019)

(Correct)

For two authors: Always cite both authors' names in-text everytime
you reference them.

(Wan et al., 2020)

 (Incorrect)

(Wan & Lawrence, 2020)

(Correct)

Here is how this would look for a source authored by Parker,

Robin, and Williams published in 2018.

(Parker et al., 2018)

or

Parker et al. (2018) claimed that…

Note that there will be no comma between the surname and ‘‘et al.’’
but a comma should be placed before the date in parentheses
citation. Also, the period goes only after the ‘‘al.’’ even when it
falls in the middle of a sentence

The Correct Use of ‘‘et al.’’

 Authors make several mistakes when using ‘‘et al.’’ in academic writings.
The “al” in “et al.” is always followed by a period because the period shows
that it is the abbreviated form of the term ‘‘et alia.’’

Thus, the following forms are not correct: ‘‘et al’’, ‘‘et. al’’, ‘‘et. al.’’

The proper use of the abbreviation is ‘‘et al.’’

‘‘et al’’, ‘‘et. al’’, ‘‘et. al.’’ (Incorrect)

(Parker et al 2018) (Incorrect)
(Parker et. al. 2018) (Incorrect)
(Parker et. al 2018) (Incorrect)
(Parker et al., 2018) (Correct)
Parker et al. argued that (2018) ... (Correct)
(Alison et al., 2019) (Correct)
(Alison, Brier, Levy, & Wan, 2019)
(Incorrect)
(Three or more authors)
(Wan & Lawrence, 2020) (Correct)
(Wan et al., 2020)
(Incorrect)
(Two authors)

Also, “et al.” can be directly followed by another punctuation where

necessary. However, the period always comes first:

 (Parker et al., 2018)

When “et al.” is used right at the end of a sentence, only one period is used:

 ... by Parker et al. (2018)

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