i.e. vs e.g. | Difference Between

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i.e vs e.g.?

It can be confusing, we know.

When you expand on your knowledge of Latin, you will realize that there is a difference between i.e. and e.g.

I.E. stands in Latin for id est. It means `that is’.
E.G. stands in Latin for exempli gratia. It means `for example’.

When are these abbreviations used?

i.e. is used when there is a need to give any further explanation for a particular expression. An example of the usage is, “I will go to Lords, i.e., the cricket stadium to watch the test match tomorrow at Marylebourne.”

e.g. can be used when there is a need to give certain examples and this is not necessarily a comprehensive list of the examples. An example of its usage is, “I like to eat a light lunch, e.g., including a cheese sandwich or a chicken salad.”

Misuse of these abbreviations
These Latin abbreviations have often been misused by people and editors have pointed out that the confusion between these two abbreviations accounts for one of the five most frequent errors in documents. People who use them tend not to remember the difference between them. These errors could be corrected by using memory associations with these abbreviations. One of the best ways to remember them is by disassociating the Latin terms of i.e. (id est/that is) and replacing them with attachments of `in other words and for e.g.(exempli gratia/for example) with `to give an example’. Some people associate i.e. with `in essence’ and e.g. with `egg sample’.

Proper Usage
There is no need to use these abbreviations in italics when you write them even if they are Latin abbreviations. They have been used for centuries as a normal part speaking and writing in the English language. They have to be separated with a period after each letter of the abbreviation. Some people put commas after them so that there is breathing space. Invariably, both i.e. and e.g. tend to introduce statements in parentheses. It is also fine to use them in many other styles. If they are required to introduce a complete sentence which follows another entire sentence, a semi colon can be used before them. A dash can be used before them to introduce a dramatic effect. i.e. is mostly used to paraphrase.

A statement can be made and then i.e. can be added to describe or specify what you have said previously in some other way. If you replace `i.e.’ with `in other words’, you will make complete sense with your sentences but if you replace `i.e.’ with `for example, sense will not be made. `E.g.’ may be used before you give one or more types of examples. You have to perceive anything that precedes `e.g.’ as something of a category and whatever follows will have to fall in that particular category (“get me some green leafy vegetables, e.g., lettuce and spinach”).

You will have to remember that whatever you write just after you exclaim `i.e.’ means exactly the same as what is preceding it. If a sentence is used that includes `i.e.’ and a comment in parentheses, you have to ensure that this restatement is equal to what you have mentioned first. They should be swapped easily without any loss in their meaning.

Do you have any comments to make regarding the grammatical difference between the two words? Does it annoy you when people keep making the same mistakes over and over again?

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