Latin Abbreviations

Many Latin abbreviations are used in APA Style papers to save space. Use the following standard Latin abbreviations only in parenthetical material; in the narrative, use the translation of the Latin term. In both cases, punctuate as if the abbreviation were spelled out in the language in which you are writing.

Latin abbreviation Meaning
cf. compare
e.g., for example,
, etc. , and so forth
i.e., that is,
viz., namely,
vs. versus or against

Latin abbreviations are covered in Section 6.29 of the APA Publication Manual, Seventh Edition

Thus, if you want to give a list of examples within parentheses, use the abbreviation “e.g.,” (including the comma) before the examples. If the words “for example” appear outside of parentheses, do not use the abbreviation “e.g.”

Participants watched different kinds of funny movies (e.g., featuring either slapstick, self-deprecating, or dark humor).

Exceptions for the Use of Latin Abbreviations

The following cases are exceptions to the use of Latin abbreviations: 

  • Use the abbreviation “v.” instead of “vs.” in the title or name of a court case in the reference list and in all in-text citations. For example, write Brown v. Board of Education, not Brown vs. Board of Education.
  • Use the Latin abbreviation “et al.” (which means “and others”) in both narrative and parenthetical citations.

Note that the abbreviation “ibid.” is not used in APA Style.