When is it appropriate to use "et al." in an APA-style citation?

Using "et al." in an APA-style citation is appropriate when citing a work that has three or more authors. The term "et al." is derived from the Latin phrase meaning "and others." In APA format, the first time you cite a source with three or more authors, you should list only the first author's last name followed by "et al." This approach simplifies citations and helps to keep the text concise, especially for sources with a large number of contributors.

In the context of citing works with fewer than three authors, such as when there are only one or two authors, you would always need to mention all authors’ names in the citation. Similarly, using "et al." solely in the reference list is not appropriate, as it is meant for in-text citations. Thus, the reasoning behind employing "et al." in first citations of works with three or more authors aligns with the guidelines laid out in the APA Publication Manual, making this knowledge essential for proper APA citation practice.