Grammar Mishaps: i.e. versus e.g.
79e.g.
The term e.g. means "exempli gratia" in Latin or "for example" in English. Simply replace "e.g." with "for example" to check your usage. Remember, your list of examples is not presumed complete.
- I love to read a variety of genres, e.g., historical non-fiction, mystery and poetry.
- She is the captain of many clubs, (e.g., chess, leadership and newspaper are among her favorites.) If you choose, parenthesis can be used like in the above example.
i.e.
The term i.e. means "id est" in Latin or "that is" in English. A trick that I use: If you can replace "i.e." with "in other words" then you are using it correctly. "I.e." is used to specify what your are trying to convey.
- We will have caramel corn, roasted pumpkin seeds, witches' brew and ghost cookies on this spooky night, i.e., Halloween.
- The greatest basketball team of all-time, i.e., the 1987 Los Angeles Lakers, started Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, Kareem Abdul-Jabar and A.C. Green.
Remember...
- Use a period after each letter because they are abbreviations.
- Use a comma after the abbreviations.
- Use a comma before the abbreviations unless it's the beginning of a sentence
- You may begin a sentence with "i.e." and "e.g.". (You still need to use a comma after the abbreviation.)
- You may use "i.e." and "e.g." in parenthesis. (You still need to use a comma after the abbreviation.)
- You may use "i.e." and "e.g." within a sentence without parenthesis. Remember to precede and follow with a comma.
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Questions, Comments or Thoughts?
I like your "in other words" test, especially since it begins with i. Grammar and I don't get along too well! I slept through those years.
I agree, "in other words" with the "i" and "for example" with the "e" help me remember too. ;)
Oh my gosh. I have been misusing "i.e." since birth. I feel dumber by the minute, reading your hubs! ;) (Speaking of, is "dumber" a word? Subquestion-- is it okay to make up words?)
It is definitely okay to make up words, especially if they're funny!
Now if you could only tell me how to kindly tell my boss to stop using ie instead of eg. :S
Thanks!
Ha Ha, I think it's probably best left unsaid. ;)
I feel like an idiot, because I misuse this all the time in my writing! Thanks for the help!
I'm glad it helped, Sam. I feel like an idiot when dealing with my dog; so I guess we're even. ;)
this is great! I can't believe I never knew this! I have been using them interchangeably
Thanks for the great assistance with my english grammer.
Glad it helped Monique and Andrew! Cheers!
exactly what i needed. :) thanks
I'm writing a paper, it is helpful to find out that a following comma is necessary. Thanks a lot.
Thanks for the feedback!! So glad it's useful!
I use i.e./e.g. as appropriate when writing. But, is it proper to actually SAY "i.e." or "e.g" when conversing?
Hi Val,It's fine to say "i.e." and "e.g." in conversation, but I would prefer "in other words" and "for example". The former sound a bit pretentious in casual conversation. Thanks for the question.
Thanks, Robin!
Good, simple defintions.
Now, if we could just get people to remove "i.e." from their speech! The abbreviation is meant for written use, not spoken. It does not make one sound more intelligent by using the term in conversation. In fact, saying "ayeee" is not even more practical since it is just as easy, and preferable, to say "that is" when this phrase is needed. Unfortunately, even nationally-recognized broadcasters are guily of this spoken-word gaffe.
And don't even get me started on the overuse and misuse of the adjective "incredible."
Robin, sorry to have to disagree with you on using "i.e." in conversation.
I should also point out that it is preferable not to begin a sentence with the abbreviation. This follows along the same line as starting a sentence with numbers, in which case it is correct to begin with the written number, as in this example: "Eighteen players attended." Not, "18 players attended." The same rule applies to "i.e." or e.g."
Hi Dale,
No problem; grammar seems to evoke many disagreements. ;) I also do not prefer using "i.e." and "e.g." in speech; however, I haven't found this as a rule. Looking back at my example, I think you're right that it would be preferable to not start a sentence with "e.g." or "i.e.". I'm not sure if this is a distinctive rule, or just a preference, but I think I'll change it. Thanks!!
Thanks, Lincoln, Erick and Kaiya! I'm a teacher and my father-in-law was a English teacher and has given me many tips. I guess I'm just intrigued by grammar. Cheers!
Absolutely BRILLIANT!
I never new this. At least not to this detail.
I never KNEW this. Damn, I've come across as an illiterate. :(
:D
I invented the following mnemonic device for myself to remember which to use:
i.e. = idea expanded
e.g. = example(s) given
It's not perfect since i.e. is often restating what's been said rather than expanding on it, but it works really well for me to remember which is which.
Thanks for the comment, Spence. I like that tip. I always think: i.e. = in other words (starting with "i"); and e.g. = example (starting with "e").
Wow, I'm learning something new everyday. Thanks again, Robin
This helped, thanks!
Robin,First, We "shall", not "will"
Dale, I do agree with you.
I also have a problem with the use of Text Messages. I am hearing more and more pre-teens and teens speaking in Text Message Jargon. I would like to be a fly on the wall when these young people attempt to write an essay or go for an interview with such limited verbal skills. I though Ebonics was the "language" to end us all, but by gosh, give it time, and someone or something is always around the corner to blow us out of the water once again!
I was a pre-teen in the 50's and Sweet Sixteen in the 60's. I dare say, there are very few reading this posting that ever heard of BeatSpeak, used in Coffee Houses of the era! We actually had a little book or Dictionary, you could order, providing a listing of the Cool Words of the day.
Hope to learn more. You have a good post that I find useful. Keep it up!
Neat! I just discovered HubPages and I'm already learning things.
I have a question about the example, listed below, from this page. In this example, since the e.g. is used within parenthesis, does that not make the comma after clubs obsolete? She is the captain of many clubs, (e.g., chess, leadership and newspaper are among her favorites.) If you choose, parenthesis can be used like in the above example.
Wow, this is a lot of comments and i agree with everybody i.e., you're fantastic. Please keep it up and you've helped so much i.g., you've cofirmed so many grammar mistakes in my office of 100+ employees. Thanks again and again......and again because i know i'm going to use the hub again. Regards, Brian
thanks for the grammer lesson... learn something new every day :)
Brilliant, well explained.
Finally, I understand the difference. Thank you very much for this explanation.
Good post, i.e., I enjoyed it.
Thank you Robin,
You clarified just about everything about the grammar as well as why they are so easy to mix up! I.e. is translated as "that is", but it would be so much easier if it is translated as "in other words".Especially to us speaking english as a second language.
Thanks!Dennis P
Nice hub. You sure stirred up a hornets nest. Most of us have trouble with this type of grammatical stickler. But the one that bothers me most is the frequent misuse of "then" and "than," -- and they're entirely two different words.
Hey Robin! This is your cousin Alicia! I found your hubpage last year after Paul told us about it... This is awesome! I'm doing a project today in my 9th grade English class on common errors and I think I'll use this one. I love your Grammar Mishaps! I'll be sure to check them again.
Love ya! (ps-- your pic looks just like a younger version of my mom!)
I have found your grammar articles quite informative. I'm hoping you could do one for "A vs An". I've had disagreements with others on how this should be used, specifically when preceding acronyms that start with consonants yet start with a vowel sound (S comes to mind).
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much - Paul
Sorry to join in so late. If one were to use "i.e." at the start of a sentence, would it be capitalized, as in "I.e."? If not, why? Also, can the term be used to start a paragraph? You need a preceeding idea in order for it have a point of reference to the conversation. I ask because my College professor is using it (with only one period and no comma, by the way,) in a point form resumee. The resumee lists the former place of employment and then lists the job duties on the next line starting with "ie.". e.g.,
1999-2000
Druxy's Bar
ie. served cold drinks
Did I use "e.g." correctly there?
Robin, the statement which reads, "If you choose, parenthesis can be used like in the above example" is grammatically incorrect. Replace the word "like" with "as" in order to correct it.
I finally understood this whole i.e. e.g. meaning....Thanks.
working
gredmondson says:
2 years ago
Thanks, Robin, for doing this Hub. I think I can remember "that is" for i.e. and "for example" for e.g.