The proper uses of ‘e.g.’ and ‘i.e.’ can be confusing. They are the remnants of a fashion for using Latin phrases in English writing and have been reinforced through use even though hardly anyone really knows what they stand for.

In the first place, therefore, it is very helpful to know that ‘e.g.’ stands for exempli gratia, which literally translates as ‘for example.’ ‘i.e.’ stands for id est, which literally means ‘that is.’ Given that perfectly logical phrases exist in English that can transmit precisely the same meaning, should you have any trouble remembering the differences between e.g. and i.e., it really is better to avoid them.

Their continued use stems from convention, not clarity, and while they are one way to add colour, style and texture to your writing, they are not essential.

Using them incorrectly is a hundred times worse than not using them at all.

To use these phrases correctly, it is useful to understand what they stand for. To confuse matters, of course, there is no way of remembering that the ‘e’ in ‘e.g.’ means ‘example,’ simple learn that e.g. stands for exempli gratia, and i.e. stands for ‘that is’. Use the phrases where you would in English where you might say either ‘that is’ (i.e.) or ‘for example’ (e.g.).

It is obvious, however, that the differences between of ‘that is’ and ‘for example’ can be muddy. It is therefore useful to remember the following guidelines. Remember these are guidelines, not rules; they intend to give you the sense of how it works not the definitive guide.

When you say ‘e.g.’ you are normally referring to something which represents what you are trying to talk about, but there are other examples out there that are equally valid.

So, for example:

“Many footballers are extremely highly paid, e.g. Frank Lampard.”

“Receptiveness to new agricultural technologies, e.g. threshing machines, scythes, was limited in the area.”

“House prices are rising fast in some of the most densely populated areas of the country, e.g. London.”

i.e., id est, that is – are points of clarification, or expansion. Rather than providing one of many examples to support the point, the point relates to something specific and i.e. is used to clarify the matter.

So, for example:

“Not all kings in the Seventeenth Century were as stupid as one, i.e. Charles I”

“Few singers will ever consciously attempt to avoid vibrato with one exception, i.e. Emma Kirkby.”

“Road crossing can only be made entirely safe when the road is avoided altogether, i.e. by using a subway or a bridge.”

In the above examples there are specific examples the writer is alluding to and the use of i.e. is for clarifying, not to support or exemplify, the points made.

The last example is particularly informative, as it would be possible to argue that ‘e.g.’ could have easily been used here. However, I have chosen ‘i.e.’ because in the context of the sentence they meant that specifically, they weren’t just looking for examples of how the road may be crossed and avoided.

To recap:

• i.e. stands for id est, and literally means that is. It clarifies the point being made by a sentence, and is usually deployed when the writer has something specific in mind rather than something that has a great many examples.
• E.g. stands for exempli gratia, and literally means for example. This is used to provide examples of the points being made, and usually is used when the point can be supported by more than one example.