How to Use "i.e." Versus "e.g."

The abbreviations "i.e." and "e.g." are commonly misused. Many people do not know what they stand for, or even what their true meanings are. This article will improve your understanding of these abbreviations and their proper use.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Distinguishing Between i.e. and e.g.

Download Article

"i.e." is an abbreviation of the Latin words id est, which means "that is". "e.g." is an abbreviation for the Latin words exempli gratia, which means "for the sake of example".^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of North Carolina Writing CenterUNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing processGo to source}
each abbreviation with more easily remembered phrases. It may be difficult to memorize Latin words, so pretending that "i.e." stands for "in essence" or "in other words", and "e.g." stands for "example given" can help.
Advertisement
3
Use creative mnemonic devices. Sometimes, not even associating the abbreviation with another phrase helps. If you’re still having trouble, try using more creative mnemonic solutions, such as associating i.e. with “I explain” or e.g. with “egg sample” (which sounds like "example").^{[2]XResearch source}
- You could also try memorizing a bizarre example sentence using the correct abbreviation, such as “The best way to drive unicorns out of your neighborhood is to play them loud Baroque classical music (i.e., complicated classical music composed between 1600-1750).”^{[3]XResearch source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Knowing When to Use i.e. and e.g.

Download Article

1
to paraphrase. Make a statement, then add "i.e." to explain, specify, or describe what you just said in another way:
- The elephant is a pachyderm, i.e., a large animal with thick skin and nails on feet resembling hooves.
- I went to my least favorite place (i.e., the dentist).
- Note that what follows "i.e." is often a further explanation. This can also be a metaphor. If you substitute "i.e." with "in other words" the sentences still make sense. If you plug in "for example" they do not.
2
before giving one or more examples. Think of what precedes "e.g." as a category, and what follows it as something (or a few things) that would fall into that category (but not everything in that category):
- Buy some vegetables, e.g., carrots.
- I like power metal (e.g., Firewind, Iced Earth, Sonata Arctica).
- Observe how using "i.e." wouldn't make sense in these examples. "Carrots" is not another way to describe vegetables in general, it is just one of the many foods that are considered to be vegetables. If you wanted to use "i.e." you would write "Buy some vegetables, i.e., the edible part of any plant." Likewise, the bands given are examples of power metal, but not a description. If you were using "i.e." you would write something like "I like power metal, i.e., fast metal with symphonic elements and epic themes."
3
and i.e. in short comments. It’s common to use the abbreviations e.g. and i.e. when adding a parenthetical statement, such as a clarification or explanation. However, if the clarification or explanation is part of the main sentence, spell out the phrase that is appropriate to your meaning instead.
- For example, if you’re writing a paper and want to provide some examples of sources that argue a particular point, use e.g.: “Some studies (e.g., Smith, 2015; Yao, 1999) support this assertion, while others -- for example, Abdullah’s (2013) research on pizza and topping choice -- disagree.”
- Use i.e. to provide short clarifications and a phrase to provide longer or more detailed clarifications: “In our research we altered the order of image display (i.e., first, second, or third) as well as their color scheme, that is, whether we had applied a blue or green filter.”
Substantial confusion exists surrounding i.e. and e.g., even amongst highly educated readers. If you think that your readers may not understand what the abbreviation is used to signal, skip it and use a clarifying phrase instead. ^{[4]XResearch source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Formatting and Double-Checking Usage of i.e. and e.g.

Download Article

It’s common for English speakers to see Latin words and phrases italicized, such as in medias res (“in the middle of things”) or in loco parentis (“in the place of a parent”). However, Latin words and phrases that have entered common usage are usually not italicized -- including i.e. and e.g.^{[5]XResearch source}
2
Use parentheses or commas with both. To indicate a separate clause, you can either insert a comma before "i.e." or "e.g." or you can use parentheses, both of which are shown in the examples above. If you use parentheses, open them right before the "e.g." or "i.e." and close them after you have given your example or alternate definition.
- For American English usage, you should always put a comma right after both "i.e." and "e.g." as shown in the examples above. For British English usage, do not put a comma right after either "i.e." or "e.g."
3
Determine any style manual requirements. If you’re just writing for yourself or in an informal situation, you may not have any specific requirements. However, if you’re writing in a particular academic discipline, or in a particular profession (such as journalism), you will probably be asked to write in accordance with the relevant style manual.
- For example, APA Style, the official style of the American Psychological Association, is used widely in the social sciences and in professions like journalism. APA states that you should always put a comma after e.g. and i.e. when using them: “Some sources (e.g., Janet, 2010; Jeff, 2015) argue that mushrooms are tasty” and “There are three meals in the day (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner)”.^{[6]XResearch source}
4
means the same as what precedes it. If you use a sentence that includes i.e. and a parenthetical comment, make sure that the restatement is directly equivalent to what you said first: you should be able to swap them out without a loss of meaning.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of North Carolina Writing CenterUNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing processGo to source}
- The sentence “His favorite type of sandwich is an open-faced sandwich (i.e., one that uses only one piece of bread rather than two)” represents correct usage of i.e.
- The sentence “His favorite type of sandwich is an open-faced sandwich (i.e., a panini or similar type of sandwich)” represents incorrect usage, because “a panini or similar type of sandwich” is NOT directly equivalent to “an open-faced sandwich.”
If it sounds reasonable, then you are probably using the right one. For example, "I like quiet activities (e.g., reading)" becomes "I like quiet activities (for example, reading)". When trying this with i.e., it is often easier to use "in other words" instead of "that is."

Usage Chart

Sample I.e. and e.g. Usage

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Requests should not be submitted unless other options (e.g., natural supports, sharing staff time, learning skills) have been explored and documented. Is "e.g." correct?
Community Answer
Yes, e.g. means "for example".
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 34
Question
What does i.e. mean?
Donagan
Top Answerer
It stands for the Latin phrase "id est." It means "that is" or "in other words."
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 15 Helpful 51
Question
Should e.g. or i.e. ever be capitalized? Like when they occur separately from the sentence (I.e or E.g)?
Donagan
Top Answerer
If you feel you have to start a sentence with "e.g." or "i.e.", it would be less confusing to use the equivalent English phrases "for example" or "in other words."
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

There is no need to use "etc." at the end of a list following "e.g.", as "e.g." implies an incomplete list.
Thanks
Helpful4 Not Helpful1
If you're still worried about misusing these terms, then the easiest way to avoid misusing them is to not use them at all, even in writing. When you mean "for example," write "for example." When you mean "that is," write "that is." It's not that much more to write, and there's no chance of getting it wrong.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful0
Particularly when speaking but even when writing, a pause may be preferable to a Latin abbreviation. For example: I went to my least favourite place -- the dentist.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful0