Beyond the Rhetoric

Sometimes, abbreviations can get pretty far from their original meanings. That’s largely the reason why there are so many people who (incorrectly) refer to a PIN number, for example. Another instance of this is the confusion between e.g. and i.e. They seem very similar, but they have entirely different meanings.

Both e.g. and i.e. are abbreviations for Latin terms. This also adds to the confusion, because most of us don’t know much Latin at all. Thankfully, there is a very simple trick to understanding the difference between e.g. and i.e.

E.g. is short for exempli gratia, a Latin term that roughly translates to “for the sake of example.” In general, this is further shortened to mean “for example.”

I’ve tried all sorts of sushi (e.g., salmon, tuna, and snapper).

I.e. is short for id est, a Latin term that roughly translates to “that is.” You might also say that it means “that is to say” or “in other words.” It provides a meaning or aims to clarify the meaning.

Many smartphones use the Google operating system (i.e., Android).

It is very important to differentiate between e.g. and i.e., because they could completely change the meaning of a sentence. Consider this example:

Joe has traveled to many places (e.g., Paris, Tokyo, and Cairo).
vs.
Joe has traveled to many places (i.e., Paris, Tokyo, and Cairo).

In the first sentence, the three named cities are examples of where Joe has gone. It is not an exhaustive list and the assumption is that he has also traveled to other international destinations. In the second sentence, the three named cities list all of the places Joe has visited. It is an exhaustive list.

So, how can you remember when to use e.g. and when to use i.e.? One trick is that “e.g.” starts with the letter E and so does “example,” while “i.e.” starts with the letter I and so does “in other words.”

While I don’t see people misuse e.g. and i.e. quite as often as I see them confuse its and it’s, it is still a very common mistake and it’s one that you should definitely avoid. If you’re still having trouble, then don’t use these abbreviations at all; just write out the full words of your meaning. Write “for example” or “in other words” instead.

On a related note, there is an ongoing debate as to whether you need the periods in both e.g. and i.e. Some say that they have to be there (followed by a comma), while others argue that having just eg and ie are perfectly acceptable. To be safe, remember that no one will ever fault you for putting in the full stops (periods), but someone might fault you if you omit them.

Tags: abbreviations, grammar tips, word choice

Filed under Freelance Writing.