{"id":10296,"date":"2017-10-11T08:00:04","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T02:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/?p=10296"},"modified":"2023-07-21T11:04:17","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T05:04:17","slug":"when-to-use-e-g-and-i-e-while-writing-your-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/when-to-use-e-g-and-i-e-while-writing-your-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Use \u201ce.g.\u201d and \u201ci.e.\u201d While Writing Your Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

We see them often in text, usually in parentheses, and we can usually figure out the context from the text before them, but what do those letters mean? The abbreviation \u201ce.g.\u201d<\/a> stands for the Latin exempli gratia<\/em>, which means \u201cfor example\u201d or \u201cfor the sake of example.\u201d The abbreviation \u201ci.e.<\/strong>\u201d stands for the Latin phrase id est<\/em>, which means \u201cthat is to say\u201d or \u201cin other words.\u201d When writing, we often use these terms like examples (e.g.<\/strong>) to emphasize a point or use (i.e.<\/strong>) to state the point in a different way without a long explanation.<\/p>\n

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Some confuse the two terms and use them incorrectly. The following will provide you with some helpful hints and examples.<\/p>\n

E.g. vs. i.e.\u2013What\u2019s the Difference?<\/h2>\n

As stated above, e.g.<\/strong> is short for \u201cfor example.\u201d The easiest way to remember this one is that it starts with an \u201ce<\/strong>\u201d and so does \u201cexample<\/strong>.\u201d Here’s how to use for example (e.g.)<\/strong> in a sentence:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many types of trees (e.g., spruce, oak, maple<\/strong>) in the study area.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were several breeds of horse (e.g., Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas, Paints<\/strong>) at the barn where we conducted our study on West Nile Virus.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note that by providing a few names as examples, we imply that there are many more than just these three trees or these three breeds of horse.<\/p>\n

If these three trees or horse breeds were the only ones in those settings, the sentences would instead read:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many spruce, oak, and maple trees<\/strong> in the study area.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are Thoroughbreds, Appaloosas, and Paints<\/strong> at the barn where we conducted our study on West Nile Virus.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Related:\u00a0Finished preparing your manuscript? Check out \u00a0these additional points now<\/strong><\/a> before submitting your manuscript<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Remembering the abbreviation i.e.<\/strong> is just as easy. It begins with an \u201ci<\/strong>\u201d and so does the first word in its meaning\u2014\u201cin<\/strong> other words.\u201d Here’s how to use i.e.<\/strong> in a sentence:<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter work, I\u2019m going to try the new restaurant (i.e., All About Pasta<\/strong>) to decide on a venue for the reception.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTo buy the car that I really want (i.e., a Tesla<\/strong>), I will have to work a lot of overtime.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It might also help you remember the differences if you think of the two abbreviations this way: e.g.<\/strong> provides examples so it tends to increase the number of options, while i.e.<\/strong> provides clarification or precise information so that it tends to narrow down the number of options.<\/p>\n

Punctuation and Style<\/h2>\n

Correct punctuation<\/a> of abbreviations is also important. For these two abbreviations, the punctuation is fairly simple, although there are some exceptions (as noted). Some of the rules of punctuation for these two abbreviations are as follows:<\/p>\n