Posted on 12/05/2018 12:19:28 PM PST by RoosterRedux
Ready to learn a little Latin? The abbreviations i.e. and e.g. are two of the most mistakenly-used words in the writing world. Even highly-educated professionals mix up i.e. and e.g. in their technical writing all the time. (I wonder what “no brainer” is in Latin?)
The short version
I.e. stands for “id est,” which means “in other words.”
Use i.e. when taking a complex idea and restating it to make it easier to understand. It can also be used to signify a clarification or making something more specific.
E.g. stands for “exempli gratia,” which means “for example.”
Use e.g. to follow an idea with scenarios that illustrate that idea. It is a presentation of that idea in action, not a clarification of it, as with i.e.
As usual, there is a little more than meets the eye with these two abbreviations, so let’s take a closer look.
When to use I.e.
Have you ever had someone explain something in very technical terminology, terminology that went over your head entirely? Perhaps you responded by saying, “In English, please?” That’s how you can remember the meaning of i.e. This abbreviation says, “Let me make it clearer for you.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wordcounter.io ...
That said, I regularly make the mistake of using i.e. when I should use e.g. and I almost always forget the comma after using either of them.
Anyway I found this little refresher course interesting and I thought youse guys might also.
Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able.
Everyone will get an A, a participation trophy, and a copy of Mao’s Little Red Book. Just in case you get frustrated with the exam, Jim Rob is preparing a safe space in a mixed gender bathroom where you can hang out.
Is i.e. a twenty-dollar word? Who’d a thunk it?
The only time I use "ie" is when I am being sarcastic and condescending, then I also write it completely out for added effect with appropriate accent, eg - "...in OTHER WORDS,..."
“nullum cerebrum” no brainer.
“Is i.e. a twenty-dollar word? Who’d a thunk it?”
me, e.g., and i.e., myself.
eg =e.g.
Thats all I need is the punctuation police showing up.
et cetera.
Gasp, shades of my Latin classes back at Catholic High School. I enjoyed Latin. It seemed a bit more logical than my other HS language - French. (And I’m of French background.) Please, please don’t beat me...I don’t have any white flags.
“Thats all I need is the punctuation police showing up.”
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You left out the apostrophe. :-)
.
You’re trying to educate a generation of folks that thinks they are saving time by abbreviating the word “people.”
I am also the decoy that leaves early from the bar to distract the cops.........
I always remembered E.G. mnemonically : for EGzample
.
Q.E.D.
Bookmark.
I.e. = that is.
E.a. = such as.
When did these Latin terms change meaning?
In 10th grade Latin III clas I bungled a translation. When my teacher asked me to elaborate I said “Nescio, tructa sum”.
He had a good laugh.
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