5

In my language when I need to add more context/explanation to an item in a numbered list, I write it like so:

  1. First.
  2. Second.

ad 1. [text augmenting Item 1].

The ad is from Latin; thus, I figured it was used in English as well, but when I did use it, some readers were puzzled and asked me what I meant.

2
  • You could use a superscript "leader" for one.
    – Kris
    Commented Aug 22, 2018 at 6:54
  • Note how you referenced an item from the list yourself in your post by writing "item 1". Why not use that?
    – E...
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 10:24

3 Answers 3

1

A probably more well known tag (also derived from Latin) might be Re (see Oxford Living Dictionaries). Thus:

  1. The first thing.
  2. The second thing.

Re 1: This also includes the other thing.

0

Rather than to or on, "ad" associates with Anno Domini first and foremost with many English speakers.

You might want to try "(see 1.)" or just "(1)".

4
  • 3
    Wouldn’t Anno Domini be A.D. rather that “ad”? Commented Aug 22, 2018 at 7:32
  • @RoaringFish Now you're being pedantic just to spite me.
    – Ricky
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 0:07
  • 4
    Not at all. The use of "ad" as in 'to' is far from uncommon - a whole load of logical fallacies use it for example, such as "ad populum" or "ad hominem", and it is a very different format to the initialism A.D. Kind of hard to see how many English speakers would confuse the two things... Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 3:00
  • Doesn't (see 1.) implying the opposite? Something like go there and see the full explanation (something like reference to tables or images)?
    – Artholl
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 6:51
0

You don't need to insert "ad" or anything else. You can simply insert subscripted bullets (numbers) in the footer part of the page.

Example:

  1. Shirt
  2. Coffee a
  3. Computer

a. Is a type of beverage


Chicago manual: footnote and citation.

enter image description here

7
  • Interesting idea, but how to use it in an email? Or what if the text in the footer will be on more lines? Is it OK?
    – Artholl
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 6:49
  • @Artholl You have asked two different questions.
    – Ubi.B
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 7:31
  • When I write it in my language with ad, I am able to use it everywhere (book, email, forum) and it could be as long as it needs to be. I am just asking if there is something similarly universal in English. I like your answer, but I am not able to use it everywhere or maybe I just overcomplicated things.
    – Artholl
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 8:10
  • @Artholl check the updated answer. This style is universally accepted.
    – Ubi.B
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 8:20
  • @Artholl if there is no more lines then you need to re adjust text. Keep those section of text on same page which has subscripts.
    – Ubi.B
    Commented Aug 23, 2018 at 8:22

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