Must FixCitationFound in 2-3% of dissertations

MLA Et Al. Format: Get the Three-Author Rule Right

Found in 2-3% of dissertations using MLA format. MLA uses et al. for three or more authors — but the formatting details differ from APA in ways that trip up every switcher.

FIX

For 3+ authors, use first author's last name followed by "et al." with no comma.

What This Issue Is

In MLA 9th edition, et al. is used for works with three or more authors. The first author's name is followed by 'et al.' — period after 'al.' only, no period after 'et.' The format in a parenthetical citation is: (Smith et al. 45). In your Works Cited list, you list the first author followed by 'et al.': Smith, John, et al.

The key differences from APA are subtle but important. MLA puts no comma before the page number: (Smith et al. 45), not (Smith et al., 45). There's also no year in MLA citations, so you'll never write (Smith et al., 2020) — that's APA format. If you see a year in your parenthetical citation, you're in the wrong style guide.

One point of confusion: MLA gives writers the option to list all authors instead of using et al. in the Works Cited list, but most dissertation programs prefer consistency. If you use et al. for one multi-author source, use it for all of them. Check with your chair on their preference, but defaulting to et al. for three or more authors is the standard approach.

Why Your Committee Flags It

MLA uses "et al." for three or more authors (changed from four in MLA 8). Incorrect formatting signals carelessness with style requirements.

Before & After Examples

Before

(Johnson, Smith, and Lee 89)

After

(Johnson et al. 89)

Three or more authors: use et al. No comma before page number in MLA.

Before

(Smith, Jones, and Williams 45)

After

(Smith et al. 45)

MLA doesn't use dates in-text — this is APA format leaking into MLA.

Before

(Smith et al., 2020)

After

(Smith et al. 45)

Period after 'al.' only. 'Et' is a complete Latin word and takes no period.

Before

Smith et. al. found that outcomes improved (45).

After

Smith et al. found that outcomes improved (45).

Self-Check Checklist

Tap each item as you review your chapter.

Related Checks

Must Fix

Citation Format (author page)

5-10% of dissertations

Should Fix

Ampersand Ban (use "and")

2-4% of dissertations

Should Fix

Number Spelling (one-two words)

1-2% of dissertations

Must Fix

Et Al. Format

2-3% of dissertations

Should Fix

Citation Name Consistency

2-5% of dissertations

Frequently Asked Questions

Use et al. for works with three or more authors, both in-text and in your Works Cited list. List the first author's name followed by 'et al.' In-text: (Smith et al. 45). Works Cited: Smith, John, et al. MLA also gives you the option to list all authors, but et al. is standard for dissertations.
Three key differences: (1) MLA has no comma between et al. and the page number. (2) MLA has no year in the citation. (3) Both styles use et al. starting from three authors in their current editions, but the surrounding punctuation differs. Double-check which style you're in before formatting.
MLA 9th edition allows you to either list all authors or use et al. after the first author for works with three or more authors. Most dissertation programs prefer et al. for consistency and brevity. Check your program guidelines, but defaulting to et al. is safe.

Sources

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