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PRESENTS

"e.g." and "i.e."

Introduction “e.g.” “i.e.”

Getting them wrong

Format Exercises

So what's the difference between "e.g." and "i.e."?

Introduction

These two come from Latin and they are quite common in English writing.The Latin abbreviations "i.e." and "e.g." come up very frequently in writing and would probably come up more often if people were more sure of when it is right to use "i.e." and when "e.g." is required. To me, the only way to figure it out is to know what they stand for.

I.E. - What Does i.e. Mean?"I.e." stands simply for "that is," which written out fully in Latin is 'id est'. "I.e." is used in place of "in other words," or "it / that is." It specifies or makes more clear.

E.G. - What Does e.g. Mean?

"E.g." means "for example" and comes from the Latin expression exempli gratia, "for the sake of an example," with the noun exemplum in the genitive (possessive case) and singular to go with gratia in the ablative (prepositional case) singular. "E.g." is used in expressions similar to "including," when you are not intending to list everything that is being discussed.

“e.g.”

The abbreviation e.g. is used to provide an example:

Examples:

Big cities, e.g. New York, London and Tokyo offer more exciting activities.

You should hang out more with people in your own age, e.g. Tom and Kate.

Tropical fruit, e.g. bananas, mangoes and avocados, are shipped throughout the world.

Notice the comma before the “e.g.”

More Examples:

The buffet provided excellent variety, e.g., vegetarian and non-vegetarian soups, Italian and French breads and numerous sweets. (e.g. = for example)

He was the school champion of many activities (e.g., chess, badminton and 110m hurdles). (e.g. = for example)

Remember: e.g. is an abbreviation, so you MUST use a period / full stop.

Notice the comma before and after the “e.g.”

Notice the examples are set off in parenthesis before and comma after the “e.g.”

“i.e.”

You use this "i.e." when you want to explain exactly what something means.

Examples:

He is rather confused, i.e. he is not sure what to do.

We are going on a short vacation, i.e. 3-4 days.

Since Linda is moving to the north, i.e. Montreal in Canada, we can't see each other any more

So the difference is that with "e.g." you are just giving an example, whereas with "i.e." you are explaining exactly what it means.

Notice the comma before the “e.g.”

The abbreviation i.e. is used to restate an idea more clearly or offer more information.

Examples:

It happened in August; i.e. two months ago. (i.e. = in other words)

It happened in August; e.g. two months ago. (e.g. = for example)

Service charge is included in all prices, i.e., you don't have to leave a tip. (i.e. = in other words)

Remember: e.g. is an abbreviation, so you MUST use a period / full stop.

Notice the semicolon before and comma after the “e.i.” or just commas .

Getting Them Wrong

Often mixing the abbreviations up does not mean your sentence is grammatically incorrect. However, getting them wrong will change the meaning of your sentence.

Examples:

All amphibians are thriving in the new pond; e.g., the two bullfrogs were being very active yesterday. (This sentence is fine grammatically. From it, we infer that there are more amphibians than two bullfrogs in the pond.)

All amphibians are thriving in the new pond; i.e., the two bullfrogs were being very active yesterday. (This sentence is fine grammatically. We infer that the only amphibians in the pond are the two bullfrogs.)

REMEMBERING WHICH IS WHICH

This may assist in remembering:

e.g. = "example given“

i.e. = "in effect"

The Format With e.g. or i.e.

Starting a sentence is okay:He directs a variety of genres. E.g., he directs crime, disaster, drama and fantasy.

Comma before is okay:He directs a variety of genres, e.g., crime, disaster, drama, fantasy.

Semicolon before is okay:He directs a variety of genres; e.g., crime, disaster, drama, fantasy.

Brackets are okay:He directs a variety of genres (e.g., crime, disaster, drama, fantasy).

Comma after e.g. or i.e.In the US, it is usual to follow e.g. or i.e. with a comma. It is less common in the UK. There is leniency in all conventions. The golden rule is: be consistent.

Full Stops (Periods ) or not

It is usual to see full stops (periods) with e.g. and i.e. However, you can write them without. The golden

rule is simply: be consistent.

DON'T USE ETC. AFTER E.G.

The examples you offer after using e.g. are usually samples from a more complete list. Therefore, it is often not appropriate to use etc. after e.g. since it is understood that you are only offering a partial list by way of example. In the example below, the etc. is redundant:

Mark needs gloves to handle live fishing bait (e.g., rag worm, lug worm, crab, etc.)

In the example above: the use of e.g. is correct the use of etc. is wrong

Select the correct answer:

Q1 You must always follow i.e. and e.g. with a comma.

Q2 You should never use a semicolon before i.e.

Q3 I love mints; e.g. Polos. Therefore, I love:

a. Yes, that's rightb. Only if it looks goodc. Not true

a. Not trueb. Only if your comma key is brokenc. True

a. Just Polosb. Polos and Everton mintsc. Many types of mints, including Polos

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Select the correct answer:

Q1 I know rock stars; e.g. Bob Geldof. Therefore, I know:

Q2 You should never use a semicolon before i.e.

Q3 I am scared of dogs; i.e. Jack Russells. Therefore, I am scared of:

a. Some rock stars, including Bob Geldofb. Bob Geldof's mate's matec. Just Bob Geldof

a. Only if your comma key is brokenb. Truec. Not true

a. All dogsb. All small dogsc. Jack Russells

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Which of the following sentences is incorrect?

John likes vegetables, i.e. lettuce and carrots.

Many countries, e.g. France and Italy, will participate.

My family, i.e. my parents and brothers, won't agree to this.

Farm animals, e.g. cows and sheep, need natural food.

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AnswerThe incorrect sentence is sentence number one:

John likes vegetables, i.e. lettuce and carrots.

Why?"I.e." is used the explain exactly what something means, not just to give an example.

Naturally, the group of vegetables contains many other group members.

The same sentence correctedTo correct the sentence, we could say:

John likes vegetables, e.g. lettuce and carrots.

John likes vegetables, such as lettuce and carrots.

John likes vegetables, for example lettuce and carrots.