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When writing, how can I remember when to use i.e. and when to use e.g.?
Any tricks or mnemonic devices I could use?
answers (7)
Well, you probably already know that "i.e." is used interchangeably for "that is," being a direct translation of the Latin phrase "id est."
Likewise, "e.g." should be used to say "for example," being a translation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia."
The way I keep them straight personally is that I can remember the Latin 'id est' pretty easily, and the translation is fairly straighforward to my mind, so I know that if I don't mean to say "that is" then I should write e.g.
But I found that Grammar Girl has a couple of suggestion that may be more helpful:
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ie-eg-oh-my.aspx
1) "Forget about i.e. standing for "that is" or whatever it really means in Latin. From now on, i.e., which starts with i, means “in other words,” and e.g., which starts with e, means “for example.” I = in other words. E= example."
2) "A few listeners have also written in to say that they remember the difference between i.e. and e.g. by imagining that i.e. means “in essence,” and e.g. sounds like “egg sample,” and those are good memory tricks too"
Likewise, "e.g." should be used to say "for example," being a translation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia."
The way I keep them straight personally is that I can remember the Latin 'id est' pretty easily, and the translation is fairly straighforward to my mind, so I know that if I don't mean to say "that is" then I should write e.g.
But I found that Grammar Girl has a couple of suggestion that may be more helpful:
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ie-eg-oh-my.aspx
1) "Forget about i.e. standing for "that is" or whatever it really means in Latin. From now on, i.e., which starts with i, means “in other words,” and e.g., which starts with e, means “for example.” I = in other words. E= example."
2) "A few listeners have also written in to say that they remember the difference between i.e. and e.g. by imagining that i.e. means “in essence,” and e.g. sounds like “egg sample,” and those are good memory tricks too"
source(s):
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ie-eg-oh-my.aspx
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/i.e.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/e.g.
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ie-eg-oh-my.aspx
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/i.e.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/e.g.
| Asker's rating: |
Just ask yourself if you are giving an example (e.g.) or stating something in another way (i.e.).
voted helpful: demanda
Oh, and example sounds like e.g.(sample).
I always refer to my Example Genie; e.g.:
http://www.balloonaticsdesigns.com/images/Balloon_Genie.jpg
And don't tell anybody because it's not very nice of me, but I always remember the Idiot's Emphasis; that is, repeating it for people who didn't get it the first time. Don't tell! I don't want people to know I can think of it that way.
And don't tell anybody because it's not very nice of me, but I always remember the Idiot's Emphasis; that is, repeating it for people who didn't get it the first time. Don't tell! I don't want people to know I can think of it that way.
source(s):
I was a Latin student, but this way's more fun.
I was a Latin student, but this way's more fun.
voted helpful: demanda
I always remember "e.g." as "example given."
Then I remember "i.e." as ". . . hmm, well it must be the other one: in other words."
Then I remember "i.e." as ". . . hmm, well it must be the other one: in other words."
I always thought of "e.g." as "example given" and incorrectly assumed that "i.e." was "in example" and that they were interchangeable. At some point, I figured it out, and used the mnemonic "in essence" to help me use "i.e." correctly. And I still get them mixed up every once in a while.
Here's a great article on how to remember the difference: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ie-eg-oh-my.aspx
Basically, you use i.e. when you want to say "In other words...," and e.g. when you want to say, "For example..."
Basically, you use i.e. when you want to say "In other words...," and e.g. when you want to say, "For example..."
When writing ie, Think "for instance" (i i i i i) starts with i.
When writing eg think "egsample" starts with eg.
example. The eeeeeee
When writing eg think "egsample" starts with eg.
example. The eeeeeee
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