i.e. vs. e.g.

You've probably seen "i.e." and "e.g." in academic papers, business documents, and even casual articles. They're easy to mix up, but mastering them is a quick way to make your writing more precise and professional.

The Basic Difference

It all comes down to their Latin roots:

• i.e. stands for id est, which means "that is" or "in other words."
• e.g. stands for exempli gratia, which means "for example."

i.e.: When You Want to Clarify

Use i.e. when you want to explain something in a different way or be more specific. You're not adding new information; you're just restating it.

How to Use "i.e."

To clarify a technical term:

• She specializes in herpetology, i.e., the study of reptiles and amphibians.
• The deadline is COB Friday, i.e., 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

To be more specific:

• Only senior staff, i.e., directors and above, should attend the meeting.
• We need a quorum, i.e., at least seven board members.

A Simple Memory Trick

Think of it this way: i.e. = in essence.

e.g.: When You Want to Give Examples

Use e.g. when you want to provide a few examples to illustrate your point. You're not listing everything; you're just giving a sample.

How to Use "e.g."

To give a partial list:

• Several departments, e.g., Marketing, Sales, and HR, will be moving.
• Classic novels, e.g., "Pride and Prejudice" and "Jane Eyre," are still popular.

To give an illustrative example:

• Some metals, e.g., gold and platinum, don't rust.
• Renewable energy sources, e.g., solar and wind power, are becoming more common.

A Simple Memory Trick

Think of it this way: e.g. = for example (the "g" can stand for "given").

Punctuation and Style

The Rule: Always put a comma before "i.e." or "e.g." and another comma after. And don't forget the periods after each letter.

• Correct: "Large predators, e.g., lions and tigers, need a lot of space."
• Incorrect: "Large predators eg lions and tigers need a lot of space."

In Parentheses: The rule still applies.

• "Citrus fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons, and grapefruits) are a good source of vitamin C."

At the Beginning of a Sentence: It's best to avoid starting a sentence with "i.e." or "e.g." Instead, write out "That is" or "For example."

Common Mistakes

Using Them Interchangeably

❌ "The CEO, e.g., Sarah Johnson, will speak first." ✅ "The CEO, i.e., Sarah Johnson, will speak first." (There's only one CEO, so you're clarifying, not giving an example.)

Using "etc." with "e.g."

❌ "Bring camping gear, e.g., a tent, a sleeping bag, etc." ✅ "Bring camping gear, e.g., a tent and a sleeping bag." ("e.g." already implies the list is not complete, so "etc." is redundant.)

Using "e.g." for a Complete List

❌ "The primary colors, e.g., red, blue, and yellow." ✅ "The primary colors, i.e., red, blue, and yellow." (This is a complete list, so you're clarifying what the primary colors are.)

Test Yourself

Choose the right abbreviation for each sentence:

1. The conference will feature industry leaders, (i.e./e.g.), Bill Gates and Elon Musk.
2. Our flagship product, (i.e./e.g.), the X-200 model, is our top seller.
3. You'll need some basic supplies, (i.e./e.g.), a notebook and a pen.
4. The winner, (i.e./e.g.), whoever has the most points, gets a prize.
5. Several European capitals, (i.e./e.g.), Paris, Berlin, and Rome, are on the tour.
6. The active ingredient, (i.e./e.g.), acetaminophen, is a pain reliever.
7. Programming languages, (i.e./e.g.), Python and JavaScript, are in high demand.
8. The final phase, (i.e./e.g.), testing and deployment, is the most critical.
9. Precious stones, (i.e./e.g.), diamonds and emeralds, are a good investment.
10. The majority shareholder, (i.e./e.g.), BlackRock Inc., has the final say.

Quick Cheat Sheet

Step 1: Are you clarifying or defining something?

• Yes → Use i.e.
• No → Go to Step 2

Step 2: Are you giving a few examples?

• Yes → Use e.g.

Step 3: Is your list complete?

• Yes → Use i.e.
• No → Use e.g.

Modern Alternatives

In less formal writing, you can also use these phrases:

Instead of i.e.:

• namely
• specifically
• in other words

Instead of e.g.:

• for instance
• such as
• including

Final Thoughts

Master these two little abbreviations, and your writing will be more precise and professional—i.e., you'll be a better communicator!

Answer Key: 1. e.g., 2. i.e., 3. e.g., 4. i.e., 5. e.g., 6. i.e., 7. e.g., 8. i.e., 9. e.g., 10. i.e.