The phrase "and so forth" is an adverbial expression used to indicate that a list or sequence continues in the same way. It is similar to saying "and other things like that" or "and others."
You can use "and so forth" when you want to avoid listing everything in a series. It suggests that there are more items that are similar, but you don’t need to mention each one. It's often used in informal and formal conversations or writing.
In more advanced contexts, "and so forth" can be used in academic or professional writing to imply that there are additional examples or points that follow the same pattern without having to enumerate them all.
There are no direct variants of "and so forth," but similar phrases can be used interchangeably, such as: - "and so on" - "and the like"
While "and so forth" generally has a consistent meaning of continuation, the context in which it is used can change the focus. For example, in a legal or technical context, it may refer to a series of items or actions that adhere to specific regulations or standards.
In summary, "and so forth" is a useful expression to indicate that there are more similar items or ideas that are not explicitly listed.