What does 'last name et al.' indicate in an MLA citation?

In MLA citation, "et al." is used to indicate that a work has multiple authors, specifically when there are four or more. The term is derived from the Latin phrase "et alii," which translates to "and others." By using "et al." in the citation, the writer can acknowledge that there are additional authors without listing all their names. This helps keep citations concise and manageable, particularly when dealing with extensive collaborations often found in academic publications.

In contrast, if a work has only one author, the full name of that author would be cited. The option suggesting no authors would not be applicable, as every cited work in MLA must clearly indicate the authorship when available. Lastly, citing a source without a date is a different practice, as MLA typically requires publication dates for accuracy and transparency in the citation. Thus, the correct interpretation of "last name et al." is indeed a way to cite a work that has four or more authors.