e.g vs i.e. - What is the difference?

The main difference between e.g and i.e. is that e.g stands for exempli gratia which means “example” and i.e comes from the Latin phrase id est which means “in other words”. These texting acronyms assist in making readable manuscripts avoiding the repetition of words. 

The purpose of using e.g. and i.e. is to state a point or share an example without any long explanations. This article e.g vs i.e. will explain you about the variation in their usage including some examples and rules to be followed while using these abbreviations.

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Meaning of e.g and where it is used

E.g is a short form of exempli gratia, a Latin phrase which means “ for example”. This abbreviation is used to provide one or more examples to justify the sentence and also expands your inclusive ideas. 

Examples

1. I like playing indoor games, e.g., Carroms, chess
2. There are many flights from Delhi to Mumbai, e.g., indigo, Spicejet
3. I prefer eating breakfast in the morning, e.g., idli, Dosa, Vada.

Meaning of i.e. and where it is used

The word i.e. originates from the Latin phrase id est which means “that is”. It is used to establish a word or any phrase that restates the matter that has been said previously. In simple words i.e is used in defining or explaining a term that the reader does not know in a sentence.

Examples

1. The shopkeeper provides a standard discount, i.e., 20 % off on all products for Diwali festival.
2. I visited a bookstore to buy a fantastic book, i.e., Harry potter.
3. One meal, i.e., dinner is included in the new year holiday resort package.

How to use the abbreviations  e.g. and i.e. while writing

Standardized abbreviations using correct punctuation and style should be followed across all disciplines. We provide you some of the rules to be followed while using e.g and i.e. in your academic writing.

• Do not use an abbreviation to begin a sentence instead you can use their meanings like “for example” or “in other words”.
• Use abbreviations i.e. and e.g in lowercase while using in the middle of a sentence. (like e.g., or i.e.,)
• In both abbreviations, most American style guides recommend a period after each letter.
• Though they are Latin terms, avoid using e.g or i.e in italics when they are in abbreviated form.
• If your e.g. list is more than one, prefer to add a comma between each subsequent example word.
• Place a comma before and after i.e. or e.g. to let the reader know you are giving additional information.
• As a matter of preferred style, you can place the phrases i.e. and e.g along with some examples in the parentheses or within the sentence.

E.g vs i.e.- Compare with examples

The easiest way to recall the difference between e.g and i.e. is to compare first letters of the abbreviation and meaning. The first letter for eg and the meaning 'example' is ‘e’. In the same way ‘i’ is the first letter for ‘i.e’ and its meaning ‘in other words’.

 Let’s have a look at how they compare in sentences. Take two examples

1. After work, I will visit that newly opened shopping mall, i.e., Omega.
2. After work, I will visit a shopping mall, e.g., Omega or Express avenue.

In the first example, you are clearly stating the name of the place you plan to visit which is Omega. But whereas in the second example you will visit either omega or express avenue or any other.

 E.g. vs i.e. - Practice quiz

1. I went on a vacation and bought a nice writing book,  _____ ,the one with a beaded cover. (i.e. / e.g.)
2. Relenza is an antiviral drug,  _____ , it decreases the severity of flu symptoms. (i.e. / e.g.)
3. There are various brands of headsets in the market ,  _____ , noise shots, lenovo. ( e.g. / i.e.)
    

Practice quiz answers:

1. i.e.
2. i.e.
3. e.g

 

Other Useful Links:

• Belief vs Believe
• Your and You're
• Elicit vs Illicit
• Elude vs Allude
• Affect vs Effect
• who vs whom

Conclusion

Working on e.g. vs i.e. will upgrade your writing as well as grammar skills. Refer to the examples and follow the rules given in this article while using these abbreviations to boost your language proficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What is the difference between e.g., i.e. and ex?
 e.g stands for “for example” and i.e. is another way of saying “in other words”. But “ex” is an abbreviation for “exercise”.

2. Why do people use eg instead of ex?
“ex” is not the abbreviation example, it instead denotes “exercise”. The correct abbreviation to use when citing an example is “eg”.

3. Can you use i.e and e.g in academic writing?
The abbreviations of i.e. and e.g are useful in many contexts which are common in academic writings. Each of them have a specific and different meaning. But people often get confused while using it.