Use i.e. to say “that is” or “in other words.” Use e.g. to say “for example.” The first clarifies what you mean; the second offers examples without presenting them as the whole set. Swapping them can change an instruction, even when the rest of the sentence stays identical.
For a quick check, replace the abbreviation with its English meaning and read the sentence again. If you are explaining exactly which thing you mean, choose i.e. If you are naming a few possibilities, choose e.g. You can also leave the English words in place.
What do the letters stand for?
The abbreviation i.e. comes from the Latin id est, meaning “that is.” The abbreviation e.g. comes from exempli gratia, meaning “for example.” The Language Portal of Canada’s guidance explains the distinction as a restatement or further explanation versus a partial list of examples.
| Abbreviation | Read it as | Job in the sentence |
|---|---|---|
| i.e. | That is; in other words | Clarifies or specifies the intended meaning |
| e.g. | For example | Offers one or more examples |
A useful memory cue is to connect the e in e.g. with “example.” Then check i.e. by saying “in other words.” These are reminders, not the Latin expansions. You do not need to memorize Latin to choose correctly.
How does changing the abbreviation change the meaning?
Examples: “Pack a quiet activity (e.g., a puzzle book or a sketchpad).” The two items are suggestions. A different quiet activity could also fit the request.
Specification: “Pack the activity kit (i.e., the puzzle book and sketchpad).” The parenthetical phrase identifies what belongs in that kit. Substituting a different activity would not follow the instruction as written.
Here is a closer pair: “The club meets on weekdays (e.g., Tuesday and Thursday)” presents Tuesday and Thursday as examples. “The club meets on two weekdays (i.e., Tuesday and Thursday)” identifies the two days. Use the second wording if those are the actual recurring meeting days and the reader needs a definite schedule.
The surrounding words matter too. An abbreviation cannot fix a contradictory sentence. “Bring any two colors, i.e., blue and green” mixes free choice with a specified pair. Write “Bring blue and green” when those colors are required, or “Bring any two colors, e.g., blue and green” when they are only suggestions.
Does i.e. always introduce a complete list?
No list is required. In “I work remotely (i.e., away from the office),” the phrase explains “remotely.” In “Use the rear entrance (i.e., the door beside the courtyard),” it identifies a particular door. Neither sentence is listing a collection of objects.
When i.e. does introduce a list, that list should match what the earlier phrase means in context. “Both attachments, i.e., the agenda and map” identifies both files. It would be misleading if a third attachment were also part of the intended set. Think about whether the clarification is accurate, rather than simply counting the items.
Should you add etc. after e.g.?
Usually, remove it. The Washington State University usage reference notes that e.g. already signals a partial list, so adding etc. is redundant.
Instead of “Bring basic stationery, e.g., pencils, erasers, etc.,” write “Bring basic stationery, e.g., pencils and erasers.” If you need a precise packing list, name every required item directly. Neither an example marker nor “and so on” tells the reader exactly what to bring.
Where do the periods and commas go?
The examples here follow Emory University’s editorial convention: periods after both letters and a comma after the abbreviation. That gives i.e., and e.g., within a sentence. This is a named style choice, not a universal rule; the Canadian guidance describes variation in the comma after these abbreviations.
Parentheses provide a simple way to set off a short clarification: “Keep a backup copy (i.e., a second copy in another location).” For examples, write “Use a reusable container (e.g., a lunchbox).” The sentence-ending period comes after the closing parenthesis in these examples.
Keep the abbreviations in regular lowercase type within these sentences. Follow the style required by your publication or organization consistently. If you are also cleaning up capitalization, our guide to changing text case without retyping explains why automatic conversions still need a final review.
When is plain English the better choice?
Use “for example” or “that is” when an abbreviation would slow the reader down. “Choose a small container, for example, a lunchbox” is clear without decoding Latin initials. For direct instructions, an even shorter rewrite may work: “Put the lunchbox on the top shelf.”
Try one final editing pass: underline the phrase before the abbreviation, then ask what the following words do. Do they rename or explain that phrase? Use i.e. Do they illustrate it with possibilities? Use e.g. If neither answer fits, rewrite rather than forcing an abbreviation into the sentence.
If you prefer a printed reference beside your drafts, browse English usage reference books on Amazon. For everyday writing, the most useful habit remains the substitution test: “that is” for i.e., and “for example” for e.g.
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