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 lets 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? Thats 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 ...
“I use “ie” is when I am being sarcastic and condescending,”
The rest of the do you use Safari?
No problem. I knew the difference.
What grates on my ear is the incorrect use of “xxx and I” when “xxx and me” is called for. Many otherwise intelligent speakers are so paranoid about using the “xxx and me” formulation that they dump it and use “xxx and I” for every occasion. It sounds classier, I suppose. But it’s still wrong.
I hate it.
I didn't write the article...I just posted it.
I, completely agree, my FRiend, with the the comma, comment, period.
Yup
Or et c.
I always thought it stood for "example given" which is easy to remember. In that vein i.e. could be "in essence" which fits the meaning and is also easy to remember.
Thank you. I needed that refresher course.
“I don’t know, I’m a trout”?
Thank you!
I’ve been using “i.e.” for years, and was pretty sure I was using it properly.
Thanks to your post, I know I HAVE been using it properly!
Thanks.
Grammar police never sleep.
I forgot a "right paren" in that previous post too. Here's that ==> ")". (I think I need another nap!)
pedantic, i.e. unduly obvious, e.g. Paul Ryan’s expressions of political compromise.
This is a minor problem compared with the lose/loose dichotomy.
I thought it was strange in that grandmama was a stickler for correct English and was a Wellesley grad from long ago...roommate of Madame Chiang Kai-shek as I recall..
Turns out "et" is (or was) the correct British pronunciation of "ate" in the early 1900's.
Will take that to heart. Thx.
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