i.e. and e.g.

[Master Gunner]

I've seen people use the terms i.e. and e.g. pretty much interchangeably to show that they're giving an example. However, I've recently started wondering about what the terms actually mean and whether they should be used like that. I know I could look it up on Google or Wikipedia, but this sub-fora needs more topics.

[antonfire]

They're different things.

"e.g." means "for example".
"i.e." means "in other words".

[crazyjimbo]

I.e. literally translates from Latin as 'that is'. Whenever I read i.e., in my head I think 'that is' and it's usually easy to tell if it is used wrongly.

E.g. just screams example to me as it reads like a shortened version of 'example' (although it isn't).

[Amicitia]

I personally think that it's better to stick with English if you're trying to speak or write it, unless there is an exceptionally meaningful non-English replacement.

[zenten]

I personally think that it's better to stick with English if you're trying to speak or write it, unless there is an exceptionally meaningful non-English replacement.

I think you're in the wrong thread.

[Amicitia]

Instead of i.e., "in other words" and instead of e.g., "for example." The Latin abbreviations are better for notes, but I think using them in an English paper demonstrates a certain degree of stuffiness.

[antonfire]

I just use them because I'm used to doing math, where abbreviations are the norm.

[RealGrouchy]

You have died of dysentery.

i.e. THREAD OVER

- RG>

[shill]

I know I could look it up on Google or Wikipedia, but this sub-fora needs more topics.

No, this sub-forum (you'd better have done that on purpose) needs more interesting topics that have some room for discussion.

[yeyui]

Since no one else has, here are the Latin phrases that i.e. and e.g. abbreviate:

id est "that is"
exempli gratia "for the sake of example"