The abbreviations "i.e." and "e.g." they are widely used in English, although incorrectly because many people do not know what they mean. This article will help you improve your understanding of these abbreviations and their correct use when writing in English.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Distinguish between i.e. and e.g
Step 1. Understand the meaning of these abbreviations
"i.e." is the abbreviation of the Latin words id est, which in Spanish mean "that is to say", while "e.g." is the abbreviation of the Latin words exempli gratia, which in Spanish mean "for example."
Step 2. Relates each abbreviation with phrases that you can remember more easily.
It can be difficult to memorize Latin words, so pretending that "i.e." means "in essence" and that "e.g." means "example given" (in the example mentioned) can be useful.
Step 3. Use creative mnemonic devices
Sometimes linking the abbreviation to another phrase is not entirely helpful. If you still have trouble doing it, use more creative mnemonic devices, such as relating i.e. with "I explain" (I will explain it) or e.g. with "egg sample" (which in English sounds similar to "example").
You could also memorize an unusual sentence using the correct abbreviation, such as "The best way to get the unicorns out of your neighborhood is to blast classical music (i.e. or that is, complex classical music composed between 1600 and 1750)."
Part 2 of 3: Know when to employ i.e. and e.g
Step 1. Use "i.e
"to paraphrase.
Write a phrase in English and then add "i.e." to explain, specify or describe what you just said using other words:
- The elephant is a pachyderm, i.e., an animal with thick skin and nails resembling hooves.
- I went to my least favorite place (i.e., the dentist).
- Note that what follows "i.e." it is often a more precise definition. It can also be a metaphor. If you substitute "i.e." with "in other words" (in other words), the sentences will still make sense. On the other hand, if you put "for example", they will not have it.
Step 2. Use "e.g
"before giving one or more examples.
Think about what is before "e.g." is a category and what follows is something (or some things) that would be within 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).
- Pay attention to how to use "i.e." it would not make sense in these examples. "Carrots" (carrots) is not another way to describe vegetables in general, but rather just one of the many foods that are considered vegetables. If you wanted to use "i.e.", you would write "Buy some vegetables, i.e., the dible part of any plant". Likewise, the bands mentioned are examples of power metal, but not a description. If you used "i.e.", you would write something like "I like power metal, i.e., fast metal with symphonic elements" (I like power metal, that is, fast metal with symphonic elements and epic themes).
Step 3. Use e.g
and i.e. in short comments.
It is common to use the abbreviations i.e. and e.g. when a phrase is added in parentheses, as a clarification or explanation. However, if the clarification or explanation is part of the topic sentence, spell out the phrase that fits the meaning.
- For example, if you are writing a document and want to provide some examples of sources in which a particular point is discussed, use eg: “Some studies (eg, 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 brief clarification and a sentence that provides more detailed or extensive clarification: “In our research we altered the order of image display (ie, first, second, or third) as well as their color scheme, that is, whether we had applied a blue or green filter”.
Step 4. Think about your audience
There is substantial confusion around i.e. and e.g., even among the most educated readers. If you think your readers might not understand what the abbreviation is used for, skip it and use a clarifying phrase instead.
Part 3 of 3: Format and verify usage of i.e. and e.g
Step 1. Write in italics only if asked to do so
For English speakers, it is common to see Latin words and phrases written in italics, such as in medias res ("in the middle of things") or in loco parentis ("in the place of the parents"). However, Latin words and phrases that are in common use are generally not italicized, including "i.e." and "e.g.".
Step 2. Use parentheses or commas with both abbreviations
To indicate a separate sentence, you can place a comma before "i.e." or "e.g.", or you can use parentheses, which are shown in the example above. If you use parentheses, open them just before "e.g." or "i.e." and close them after you have given the example or alternative definition.
In the case of American English, you must always write a comma before "i.e." and "e.g." as shown in the previous examples. In the case of British English, don't put a comma after "i.e." or "e.g."
Step 3. Determine the requirements of the style guide
If you are writing to yourself or in an informal situation, you may not have any specific requirements. However, if you write in an academic discipline or in a particular profession (such as journalism), you will probably be asked to do so according to the corresponding style guide.
For example, the APA style, the official style of the American Psychological Association, is widely used in the social sciences and in professions such as journalism. The APA states that you must always place a comma after i.e. and e.g.: “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)”
Step 4. Make sure that what you write after i.e
means the same as what precedes it.
If you use a sentence that includes i.e. and a comment in parentheses, make sure the repetition is directly equivalent to what you said first: you should be able to interchange both sentences without loss of meaning.
- The sentence "His favorite type of sandwich is an open one (i.e., one that only uses one piece of bread instead of two)" represents the correct use of i.e.
- The sentence "Your favorite type of sandwich is an open one (ie, a panini or similar type of sandwich)" represents misuse, because "a panini or similar type of sandwich" is NOT directly equivalent to "an open sandwich."
Step 5. Try to replace the abbreviations with their meaning
If it sounds reasonable, you are probably using the correct phrase. For example, the sentence "I like quiet activities (e.g., reading)" becomes "I like quiet activities (for example, reading)". When you want to use i.e., it is generally better to use "in other words" (in other words) instead of "that is" (that is).
Advice
- It is not necessary to use "etc." at the end of a list that follows "e.g.", then "e.g." implies an incomplete sentence.
- It is better not to use "i.e." or "e.g." orally. Instead, say "that is" (that is) or "in other words" (in other words) and "for example" (for example) instead of "e.g.".
- For a better example of the use of "i.e." and "e.g.", watch the scene between Chili Palmer (John Travolta) and Ray "Bones" Barboni (Dennis Farina) in the 1995 film The Name of the Game.
- If you are still concerned about misusing these terms, then the easiest way to avoid this problem is not to use them at all, not even in writing. When you want to say "for example" in English, write "for example". When you want to say "is to say" in English, write "that is". It is not much to write and there will be no way you can go wrong.