i.e. Vs e.g. | Examples|Quiz |usage

i.e. vs e.g.

There is a huge difference between i.e. and e.g.   i.e. and e.g. are two very useful abbreviations in English, though they both have their roots in Latin language. Both i.e. and e.g. come very handy as long as they  are no mixed up, confused with one another. Other than being abbreviations of Latin phrases, they share no common ground. The abbreviation  i.e.—short for the Latin id est—which means that is, namely, or in other words. It is widely different from e.g.—short for the Latin phrase exempli gratia—means for example.

Both i.e. and e.g. are used in writing in English language, they are never used in spoken English. Have you ever heard anyone saying i.e. or e.g. out loud. They are meant to be used in writing. If you are talking, you just say ‘for example’ or ‘ that is’ but if you are writing you can use the abbreviation e.g. or i.e. Always remember that they are always written in lower case, without italics.

Some common mistakes-i.e. vs e.g.

Incorrect: I want to drink something cold, i.e., cold coffee, lemonade.

Correct: I want to drink something cold, e.g., cold coffee, lemonade.

Incorrect: I like only outdoor sports, i.e., football, cricket, lawn tennis .

Correct: I like only outdoor sports, e.g., football, cricket, lawn tennis .

Incorrect: Frog is an amphibian creature, e.g. ,it can live both in water and land.

Correct: Frog is an amphibian creature, i.e., it can live both in water and land.

Incorrect:  John loves listening to all types of music on the radio, e.g., classical, country western and reggae.

Correct:  John loves listening to all types of music on the radio, e.g., classical, country western and reggae.

How to remember the difference between i.e. and e.g.

One of the easiest ways to memorize the difference between these two is by employing a simple mnemonic device: think of the i at the beginning of i.e. as standing for the first word in the phrase “in other words,” indicating that the clause that follows will rephrase or explain what precedes the term.  It is little more easier to memorize  e.g.  Memorize e as in “example.”

Things to make a note of

1: Do not italicize the abbreviations. They are considered standard English even though they are Latin in origin.

2: Use a period after each letter of the abbreviation.

3: Use a comma after the abbreviation, as most official style guides require or prefer the use of one.

4: Use a comma before the abbreviations unless it begins the sentence.

5: If a sentence begins with “i.e.” or “e.g.,” use a comma after the abbreviation.

6: If “i.e.” or “e.g.” are used in parenthesis, use a comma after the abbreviation.

7: If “i.e.” or “e.g.” are used within a sentence without parenthesis, use a comma before and after the abbreviation.

8: Do not use “etc.” or “and so on” at the end of a list following “e.g.” because it implies the list is incomplete.