The abbreviations "i.e." and "e.g." they are often misused because many people do not know their meaning. This article will try to improve your knowledge of these abbreviations and help you use them correctly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Distinguishing "i.e." and "e.g."
Step 1. Learn the meaning of these abbreviations
"i.e." it is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase id est, and means "that is"; "e.g.", on the other hand, is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase exempli gratia, and means "for example".
Step 2. Try to associate each abbreviation with sentences that are easier to remember
It may be difficult to memorize the Latin phrases, so, with a little imagination, it might be useful to associate "i.e." with "in essence" or "in other words", and "e.g." with "great example".
Step 3. Create mnemonic tools
Sometimes the association of abbreviations with small phrases doesn't help either. If you're still having trouble, use more effective tricks to remember; for example it associates to i.e. the words "I explain" (I explain) and e.g. "egg sample" which when pronounced quickly sounds vaguely like "example".
You can also try to memorize some bizarre phrases in which these abbreviations are used correctly: "To drive my cat crazy I've to play it loud Baroque classical music (i.e., complicated classical music composed between 1600-1750)"; "To drive my cat crazy I have to play Baroque classical music at full volume (that is, a very complex classical musical genre composed between 1600 and 1750)"
Part 2 of 3: Knowing When to Use "i.e." and "e.g."
Step 1. Use "i.e
"to paraphrase what you mean. Write a statement, then add "i.e." to explain or describe differently what you said:
- If you mean: "The elephant is a pachyderm, ie, an animal with thick skin and nails resembling hooves", then the translation is: The elephant is a pachyderm, ie, an animal with thick skin and nails resembling hooves.
- "I went to the place I love least, (ie the dentist)". I went to my least favorite place (i.e., the dentist).
- Note how the abbreviation "i.e." it is often followed by a further definition, which can also represent a metaphor. If you replace "i.e." with "in other words", the sentence still has a complete meaning, but it is not the same case if you replace the phrase "for example" instead.
Step 2. Use "e.g
"before giving one or more examples. Think about what precedes "e.g." as to a category, and the definition following the abbreviation as to something (or several things) that could fall into that category (without making a complete list):
- Buy some vegetables, e.g., carrots. Buy vegetables, such as carrots.
- I like power metal (e.g., Firewind, Iced Earth, Sonata Arctica). I love power metal bands (e.g. Firewind, Iced Earth and Sonata Arctica).
- Notice how it makes no sense to use the abbreviation "i.e.". "Carrots" is not another way to describe vegetables in general, it is simply one of many foods that fall into that category. If I wanted to use "i.e." you would write: "Buy some vegetables, i.e., the edible part of any plant". Similarly, the musical groups mentioned above are examples of the power metal genre, but do not really represent a description. Using "i.e." you would write something like: "I like power metal, i.e., fast metal with symphonic elements and epic themes".
Step 3. Use e.g
and i.e. for short comments.
In the English language, these abbreviations are used to add a comment in parentheses when an explanation or clarification is needed. However, if the explanation is part of the main clause, then specify the correct sentence based on what you mean.
- For example, let's say you are writing a report and you want to give some examples and cite some sources to reinforce some claims. In that case you can use "e.g.": "Some studies (e.g., Smith, 2015; Yao, 1999) support this assertion, while others - for example, Abdullah's (2013) research on pizza and topping choice - disagree". "Some studies (such as Smith's in 2015 and Yao's in 1999) support this thesis, while others, such as Abdullah's 2013 research on pizza and toppings, disagree."
- Use i.e. to give a brief explanation with a sentence that enriches the concept with other details. Here is an example: "In our research we altered the order of image display (i.e., first, second, or third) as well as their color scheme, that is, whether we had applied a blue or green filter". "In our research we altered the display order of the images (such as the first, second or third) and also their color scheme, as if we had applied a blue or green filter."
Step 4. Consider the audience you are targeting
The confusion surrounding these two abbreviations is quite widespread, even among educated readers. If you believe your audience may not understand them, then avoid them and write the phrase in full.
Part 3 of 3: Typesetting the Text and Controlling the Usage of "i.e." and "e.g."
Step 1. Write words in italics only if specifically requested
It is quite common for the English-speaking public to come across Latin phrases written in italics, such as in medias res ("in the middle of things") or in loco parentis ("in the place of a parent"). However, Latin words and phrases that have become part of the common language should not be highlighted with italics and among these are i.e. and e.g.
Step 2. Use parentheses or commas for both abbreviations
To indicate a separate clause you can insert a comma before "i.e." or "e.g.", or use parentheses; both cases are illustrated in the above examples. If you use parentheses, april before the abbreviations "e.g." or "i.e.", and close them after providing your example or alternative definition.
Generally, in the American English language, the abbreviations "i.e." and "e.g." they are always followed by a comma, as illustrated in the examples above. For British English, never use a comma after "i.e." or "e.g."
Step 3. Establish the stylistic criteria of the writing
If you are writing pages just for yourself or for a casual occasion, it may not be necessary to adhere to a certain style. However, if you need to write an article for a specific academic subject or you need to compose a journalistic text, then you are likely to be asked to adapt to a particular setting.
For example, the APA Style, the set of rules established by the Association of American Psychologists for writing a psychology textbook and which is also adopted in other fields of science and in journalism, states that you should always put a comma after e.g. and i.e. Here are two examples: "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)". "Some sources (for example Janet of 2010 and Jeff of 2015) show that mushrooms are tasty" and "There are three meals a day (ie breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Step 4. Make sure what you write next i.e
refer exactly to the words that precede it. If you use a proposition that involves the use of i.e. and it is a comment in parentheses, you must be sure that it has the same meaning as the sentence before it. You should be able to reverse them without the period losing meaning.
- The following sentence is a good example: "His favorite type of sandwich is an open-faced sandwich (ie, one that uses only one piece of bread rather than two)" which means: "His favorite type of sandwich is the open one (ie the one with a single slice of stuffed bread instead of two) ".
- Instead the proposition: "His favorite type of sandwich is an open-faced sandwich (i.e., a panini or similar type of sandwich)" is incorrect because the phrase "a panini or similar type of sandwich" it is not equivalent to "an open-faced sandwich". In Italian it would sound like "His favorite sandwich is the open one (ie bruschetta or a similar sandwich)".
Step 5. Try replacing abbreviations with their meanings
If the sentence makes sense, it means that you have used the appropriate meaning. For example: "I like quiet activities (e.g., reading)" becomes "I like quiet activities (for example, reading)". Translated we will have "I like quiet activities (eg reading)". When you try to replace the abbreviation "i.e." instead, it is often easier to use "in other words" (in other words) instead of "that is" (ie).
Advice
- It is not necessary to enter "etc." at the end of a list following the abbreviation "e.g.", since "e.g." it already implies an incomplete list.
- It is better not to use "i.e." or "e.g." in spoken language. Rather it is better to say "that is" or "in other words" instead of "i.e.", and "for example" or "for istance" instead of "e.g.".
- A great example of using "i.e." and "e.g." is found in the scene between Chili Palmer (John Travolta) and Ray "Bones" Barboni (Dennis Farina) in the 1995 movie Get Shorty.
- If you are still worried about risking misuse of these phrases, the easiest way to avoid it is to not use them at all, even in writing. When you want to say "for example", write "for example". When you mean "that is" write "that is". It is just a few more letters that allow you not to make mistakes.
