When I proofread essays, I often find that these two abbreviations are used as if they mean the same thing. They don’t.
I.e. is the abbreviation for id est. This means ‘that is (to say)’. Use i.e. when you want to introduce another way of putting what you have already written.
E.g. is the abbreviation for exempli gratia. This means ‘for example’. Use e.g. when you want to introduce an illustrative example.
Hannah McCall 
[…] ‘I.e’ and ‘e.g.’ are not interchangeable. A short, simple and effective post. […]
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[…] ‘I.e.’ and ‘e.g.’ are not interchangeable They do not mean the same thing. […]
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These tidbits are super helpful! They either teach me something new or reinforce a rule I’ve known but forgotten.
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I’m really glad to hear that! Thank you. I’ll try to keep ’em coming.
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I’ve always wondered if there was a difference. Thanks!
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Yep, it is quite simple once you know. Glad to have helped. 🙂
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Excellent example. (e.g.) 🙂
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Oh, I am a terrible perpetrator of this! I had not realized that i.e. and e.g. were two different things. I always use i.e. as ‘in example’ haha. Thank you for this insight.
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No problem 🙂
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[…] generally weird words and phrases. They’re even educational and stuff. Here’s the most recent post on the proper use of i.e. and […]
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I know that these two mean something different. But remembering what that difference is is tricky. I’ll have to write it down somewhere obvious, I think.
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The only thing I can suggest is to try to associate e.g. with example because they both begin with e. Good luck!
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Good suggestion. Thank you. 🙂
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No problem 🙂
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I have learnt something new tonight – thanks 🙂
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Glad to have helped 🙂
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