Proofreading: What Is The Difference Between i.e., and e.g.,?

What is the Difference Between i.e., and e.g.,?

Misusing the abbreviations, “i.e.” and “e.g.” is one of the top mistakes seen by editors, especially when technical documents are involve. I must admit to using the abbreviations incorrectly on more than a few occasions myself. So what do these abbreviations mean and how can we remember their correct usage?

Difference Between i.e., and e.g.,?

• i.e. is an abbreviation for Latin id est, ‘that is’.
• i.e. means ‘that is’ (to say).
• i.e. specifies and explains.
• i.e. Use when you want to explain what you just said in a different way. A definition, metaphor or clarification.

• e.g. is an abbreviation for Latin exempli gratia, ‘for the sake of example’.
• e.g. means ‘for example’.
• e.g. indicates an example.
• e.g. Use when you want to give an example, a finite list.

Example 1

So you can say;

• I like fruits, i.e. the sweet juicy, edible kind of fruits we can grow in our own garden.
• I like fruits, that is to say, the sweet juicy, edible kind of fruits…

or you can use it to mean,

• I like fruits, e.g., apples and oranges.
• I like fruits, for example, apples and oranges.

In the first example I am giving an explanation for the fruits I like, in the second example I am giving an instance of the type of fruit I like.

Example 2

Now compare these two usages;

• The editor loves to read fiction novels, e.g., crime and mystery.
• He had one obvious flaw, i.e. his preponderance to kill for the misuse of abbreviations.

Example 3

Finally;

• My friend – i.e. James, was bleeding all over my furniture, e.g. my table and chairs. He’d obviously handed his copy over to the editor.

How to Remember the Usage?

A simple rule for remembering i.e. and e.g. is as follows:

• i.e. = “Is Exactly” or “In Essence” or “in other words,”
  For stating what is (an exact item or list). It is not for giving examples.
• e.g. = “Example Given”.
  For giving examples. It is not for referring to an exact item or exact list of items.

Tips, Dos and Don’ts

• It is tempting to put “etc.” after e.g. examples, but this superfluous. Using e.g. automatically implies that there is an “etc.”
• In the UK we tend to use, “e.g. and i.e.” without a trailing comma whilst our US colleagues prefer to have a comma after the abbreviation, i.e. “e.g., and i.e.,”. If your editor hasn’t stipulated a style, choose your preferred style and stick with it. I recommend using a comma after each of these abbreviations.
• Even though they are Latin abbreviations don’t italicize them. They have been used for so long they are considered a standard part of the English language.

While misusing the two abbreviations will probably not get you shot, unlike James, it could be damaging to your reputation as a serious copywriter. Luckily, it’s quite simple to remember the difference.