QUICK TIP: i.e. versus e.g.

by Chuck Sebian-Lander

Never quite sure what these Latin abbreviations mean when they pop in things you read (things like, say, one of our blog posts) or want to give them a try yourself?  Here's some simple definitions to help you keep them apart: i.e. (id est) means "that is" or "in other words"; e.g. (exempli grata) means "for example."

Check them out in action: these two Latin phrases (i.e., i.e. and e.g.) can be fun to use, but there are also some simple English phrases (e.g. "such as," "in other words," or "meaning that") that can do the job just as easily!

For more examples and explanation, read this detailed post from the Grammar Girl, who, as we've mentioned before, can be an invaluable writing resource.