I.e. vs. E.g.: Understand Confusing Abbreviations

Last updated on September 9, 2024 by Liam Daniel

In our writing, we often encounter situations where we need to clarify a statement or provide examples. That’s where the Latin abbreviations “i.e.” and “e.g.” come in handy.  I.e. vs. e.g. are two abbreviations that you can meet often when you read articles, emails, or non-fiction books. You might even skip them, without paying any attention to them because they are just two letters in the middle of the sentence that don’t seem to add a lot of information to it.

But if you have to use these abbreviations e.g. vs. i.e. yourself, will you do it correctly? There are many writers, even professional ones, who still get these two confused. However, once you sort out the difference between i.e. vs. e.g., you won’t have problems with them ever again.

I.e. vs. E.g.: The Main Differences

Key Takeaways

  • E.g. is a short version of exempli gratia and it means “for the sake of example”. Use “i.e.” when you want to give precise information or define something more clearly
  • I.e., on the other hand, stands for id est and translates to “that is to say”. Use “e.g.” when you want to give some examples that indicate what you are talking about without listing every possibility.
I.e. vs. E.g.
I.e. vs. E.g. – Created by 7ESL

I.e. vs. E.g. | The Definition

Meaning of I.e.

“I.e.” stands for “id est,” which translates to “that is” or “in other words.” We use it to introduce a clarification, rephrase, or offer a precise explanation. Consider the following example:

  • She adopted a terrier, i.e., a small breed of dog known for its energetic nature.

Here, i.e. tells us exactly what kind of dog was adopted.

Meaning of E.g.

On the other hand, “e.g.” stands for “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example.” We use it to introduce examples, not an exhaustive list, but rather a few illustrations to enhance our point. Here’s how it’s used:

  • She likes citrus fruits, e.g., oranges, lemons, and limes.

This indicates that oranges, lemons, and limes are just some examples of the citrus fruits she enjoys.

I.e. vs. E.g. | Usage and Examples

Use e.g. when you’re listing examples. For instance, when you want to mention all the countries that you’ve traveled to, you can say, “I’ve been to some Balkan countries, e.g. Croatia, Albania, and Serbia”. However, if you want to give an explanation or a definition of a term that you’ve used previously in a sentence, i.e. is the abbreviation you’re looking for. For instance, “I’ve been to some Balkan countries, i.e. countries that are located within the Balkan peninsula”. In the first sentence, you give examples of the countries you traveled to, while in the second one, you explain what you mean by “Balkan countries”.

With e.g., you give one or more examples, but with i.e., you clarify the information that you’ve already provided previously. Look at one more pair of sentences about Balkan countries, where one uses e.g. and the other uses i.e. Though the sentences look similar, they have very different meanings:

  1. John wants to visit a Balkan country, e.g. Croatia.
  2. John wants to visit a Balkan country, i.e. Croatia.

In the first sentence, John wants to visit Croatia or any other Balkan country; Croatia is only one of the possibilities. In the second sentence, however, Croatia is the exact Balkan country that he wants to visit; he doesn’t want to go somewhere else.

A small trick to help you remember when to use i.e.: instead of remembering the actual Latin expression, imagine that it stands for “in essence”. This way, you’ll never confuse it with e.g.

Tips for Remembering the Differences

The distinction is quite simple and we can remember it with these tips:

  • Use “i.e.” to mean “that is” or “in other words.” It’s used to restate something in a different way, to explain, or to clarify. Think of it as saying, “in essence”:
  • Use “e.g.” when you want to say “for example.” It’s used when providing a list of examples, not an exhaustive list, but just some illustrations. Remember “e.g.” as “example given”:
  • Mnemonics to help remember: Associate the “e” in “e.g.” with “example,” and link the “i” in “i.e.” with “in other words” to keep them straight.
  • Use punctuation properly. Both “i.e.” and “e.g.” should be followed by a comma in American English:
    • Correct: “We chose a popular color, e.g., blue.”
    • Correct: “He prefers traditional pets, i.e., cats and dogs.”

E.g. vs. I.e. Examples

Examples of “E.g.”

  • You should eat more leafy green vegetables, e.g., spinach, kale, and Swiss chard.
  • There are many activities you can do at the beach, e.g., swimming, sunbathing, and playing volleyball.
  • The museum features works from several famous artists, e.g., Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet.
  • When packing for a hike, include essential gear, e.g., a map, compass, and sturdy boots.
  • The new policy affects several departments, e.g., marketing, sales, and human resources.
  • He’s knowledgeable in many programming languages, e.g., Python, Java, and C++.

Examples of “I.e.”

  • You’ll need to bring the essential items for camping, i.e., a tent, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight.
  • Our meeting is scheduled for the end of the workweek, i.e., Friday afternoon.
  • He’s studying the field of psycholinguistics, i.e., the psychology of language.
  • The restaurant specializes in traditional French cuisine, i.e., dishes like coq au vin and bouillabaisse.
  • She prefers to use renewable energy sources, i.e., solar and wind power.
  • The park is home to several endangered species, i.e., the spotted owl and the gray wolf.

Related Confused Words

E.g. vs. Etc.

The abbreviations “e.g.” and “etc.” are used to introduce additional information, but they do so in different ways:

  • “e.g.” stands for “exempli gratia” and means “for example.” It is used when you want to provide specific examples to illustrate a point, but the examples are not intended to be a complete list.

Example: “She likes citrus fruits, e.g., oranges, lemons, and limes.”

  • “etc.” stands for “et cetera” and means “and the rest” or “and so on.” It is used at the end of a list to indicate that there are more items of the same kind, but they are not specifically mentioned.

Example: “She bought a lot of fruits, like apples, bananas, oranges, etc.”

I.e. vs. Etc.

The abbreviations “i.e.” and “etc.” serve distinct purposes in writing:

  • “i.e.” stands for “id est,” which translates to “that is” or “in other words.” It is used to provide a clarification, explanation, or restatement of the preceding term or phrase.

Example: “She will bring the dessert, i.e., the chocolate cake.”

  • “etc.” stands for “et cetera,” which means “and the rest” or “and so on.” It is used to indicate the continuation of a list, implying that there are additional items not specifically mentioned.

Example: “He’s going to bring various party supplies, like cups, plates, napkins, etc.”

E.g. vs. I.e.: Practice and Exercise

E.g. vs. I.e. Worksheet

Fill in the blanks with the correct abbreviation: e.g. or i.e.

  1. You can visit many European capitals, _______ Paris, Berlin, and Rome, in just a few hours by plane.
  2. Our summer office hours are shorter, _______ we close at 3 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.
  3. There are several ways to improve your health, _______ eating more vegetables, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
  4. He prefers to write with a blue ink pen, _______ the one he received as a gift for his promotion.
  5. Many classic books have been adapted into films, _______ “Pride and Prejudice” and “The Great Gatsby.”
  6. She has a keen interest in marine animals, _______ dolphins and whales.
  7. We need to use a more efficient process, _______ one that cuts down on waste and saves time.
  8. The park is home to various bird species, _______ robins, sparrows, and crows.

Answers with Explanations:

  1. e.g. “E.g.” stands for “exempli gratia” in Latin, which means “for example.” It is used here to introduce examples of European capitals.
  2. i.e. “I.e.” stands for “id est” in Latin, which means “that is.” It is used here to clarify or explain the previous statement about summer office hours.
  3. e.g. “E.g.” is used to provide examples of ways to improve your health.
  4. i.e. “I.e.” is used to specify which blue ink pen he prefers, indicating that it’s the particular one he got as a promotion gift.
  5. e.g. “E.g.” introduces examples of classic books that have been made into films.
  6. e.g. “E.g.” is used to list examples of marine animals in which she has an interest.
  7. i.e. “I.e.” is providing a clarification of what is meant by a more efficient process.
  8. e.g. “E.g.” introduces examples of bird species found in the park.

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