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When to Use I.e. (I.e. or E.g.)

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Dalia Y

BA, MA, Phil. Grammarflex's initial initiator and contributor.

What does “i.e.” and “e.g.” mean?

People appear somewhat dazed on the differences and proper usages of the Latin abbreviations “i.e.” and “e.g.“ 

The two are indeed different, so if you’ve been using them interchangeably, you’ve been wrong this whole time. Let us all avoid embarrassing grammar mistakes together!

How to use i.e. and e.g.

I.e. stands for id est, which translates to “that is”. The information that follows i.e. should help clarify or more precisely define what precedes it; as you can see from the sentence:

The hotel offers various amenities; i.e., a swimming pool, gym and spa services.

From the sentence, we understand that the swimming pool, gym and spa services is how the hotel defines its various amenities.

E.g. stands for exempli gratia, which directly translates to “for example”. Much like “for example”, e.g. introduces or gives a few examples from a number of possible examples within the same category or topic:

Certain fur-bearing mammals, e.g., nutria and otters, spend much of their lives in the water.

Nutria and otters are both examples of fur-bearing mammals, (amongst other examples). Because e.g. implies that there are other examples to choose from, it’s not to also include “etc.” in the same sentence.

How to punctuate “i.e.” and “e.g.”

In American English:

  • Write i.e. and e.g. using lower case letters, with periods between both letters.
  • Do not italicize i.e. or e.g., unless spelling out the individual words.
  • Neither abbreviation should be in italics (unless the full abbreviation is being spelled out out; e.g., exampli gratia written out should be in Italics since it’s in a different language, Latin).

In sentences where what comes before and after i.e. or e.g. are both independent clauses, use a semicolon and a comma. When i.e. and e.g. appear in the middle of a sentence, they should be offset by either parentheses or commas.

Examples of “e.g.” in sentences

I enjoy various outdoor activities, e.g., hiking, cycling, and swimming.

The store offers a wide range of products, e.g., electronics, clothing, and home appliances.

She has traveled to many countries, e.g., France, Japan, and Australia.

The class will cover different topics, e.g., history, science, and literature.

The restaurant serves a variety of dishes, e.g., pasta, sushi, and burgers.

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Examples of “i.e.” in sentences

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We need to prepare all the required documents; i.e., passports, visas, and identification cards.

The company focuses on software development; i.e., creating computer programs.

The new policy applies to all employees; i.e., both full-time and part-time staff.

She was passionate about medieval literature; i.e., works from the Middle Ages.

Lesson in review: “i.e.” vs. “e.g.”

  • I.e. defines something specific indicated by the previous sentence, and is used interchangeably with phrases like “that is to say”, or “specifically”.
  • E.g. gives an example amongst other possible examples or alternatives.

Read about other confusing words

Sources

  1. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of i.e..” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/i.e.. Accessed 25 July, 2023.
  2. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of e.g..” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/e.g.. Accessed 25 July, 2023.

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Work Sheet

Question 1 of 10

According to the post, what does “i.e.” stand for?



What is the English translation of “e.g.” according to the post?



How should the information following “i.e.” be used?



When is “e.g.” typically used?



According to the post’s American English rules, how should “i.e.” and “e.g.” typically be written?



The company focuses on software development; , creating computer programs.



She enjoys various outdoor activities, , hiking, cycling, and swimming.



We need to prepare all the required documents; , passports, visas, and identification cards.



It’s incorrect to include “etc.” in the same sentence as because it implies there are other examples.



The information that follows should help clarify or more precisely define what precedes it.





Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between i.e. and e.g.?
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I.e. stands for “id est,” meaning “that is,” used to clarify or define. E.g. stands for “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example,” used to introduce examples. Using them interchangeably is a mistake.

What does i.e. mean & how is it used?
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I.e. means “id est,” translating to “that is.” It is used to clarify or more precisely define something already mentioned. Example: “The hotel offers various amenities; i.e., a swimming pool, gym.

What does e.g. mean & how is it used?
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E.g. means “exempli gratia,” translating to “for example.” It introduces examples of something already mentioned. Example: “Certain fur-bearing mammals, e.g., nutria and otters, spend much of.

How should i.e. and e.g. be punctuated?
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In American English, use lower case letters with periods. Do not italicize. Offset them mid-sentence with commas or parentheses. Use a semicolon before and a comma after if preceding/following.

Can I use i.e. and e.g. interchangeably?
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No, you should not use them interchangeably. The post states that they are “indeed different,” and using them as if they are the same is “wrong.”

Yash, D. "When to Use I.e. (I.e. or E.g.)." Grammarflex, Jun 13, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/how-do-you-use-i-e-in-a-sentence-i-e-vs-e-g/.

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