When a vehicle without traction control attempts to accelerate on a slippery surface like ice, snow, or loose gravel, the wheels are liable to slip. The result of wheel slip is that the tires spin quickly on the surface of the road without gaining any actual grip, so the vehicle does not accelerate. Traction control activates when it senses that the wheels may slip, helping drivers make the most of the traction that is available on the road surface. It is important to remember that traction control cannot create traction where there is none.
Used similarly to et cetera (and the rest), to stand for a list of names. Alii is masculine, so it can be used for men, or groups of men and women; the feminine, et aliae, is appropriate when the others are all female; but as with many loanwords, interlingual use (such as in reference lists) is often invariable.
Instructor: Mary Firestone. Find out what the Latin phrase 'et al.' means and how it's used in writing and speaking. Learn how it's different from other Latin phrases used in academic writing, and follow up with a brief quiz to test your new knowledge.