Practice
i.e. and e.g.: understand the difference
Sign in to saveThe workshop is for new staff, i.e. people in their first month. It needs practical materials, e.g. a notebook and a pen. The abbreviations look similar, but they do different jobs.
Choose i.e. when you mean in other words and e.g. when you mean for example, then punctuate each abbreviation clearly in a sentence.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Bring one form of photo ID, for example a passport. /brɪŋ wʌn fɔːm əv ˈfəʊtəʊ aɪˈdiː, fə(r) ɪɡˈzɑːmpəl ə ˈpɑːspɔːt/
The short answer
i.e. means in other words or that is. It introduces a restatement or exact clarification. e.g. means for example. It introduces examples that are not a complete list.
Bring one form of photo ID, e.g. a passport or driving licence.
Why it works: The passport and driving licence are examples, so e.g. is the right choice.
5 more examples
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The meeting has one purpose, i.e. to decide the launch date.
The words after the abbreviation state the exact purpose of the meeting.
Not this:The meeting needs a few materials,
e.g.the timetable and the budget sheet. What changes: The materials are examples of what the meeting may need. -
The route avoids the city centre, i.e. it does not pass through the central streets.
The second part explains the first part in different words.
Not this:The route passes several landmarks,
e.g.the library and the old station. What changes: The landmarks named are only some of the places on the route. -
Use a browser with current security updates, e.g. Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.
The sentence gives several examples without saying that they are the only choices.
Not this:Use the browser selected by your organisation,
i.e.Firefox in this office. What changes: The office has one stated browser, so the phrase identifies it exactly. -
The annual review happens in the final quarter, i.e. from October to December.
The date range defines what final quarter means here.
Not this:Book the review in a quiet month,
e.g.November. What changes: November is one suggested month rather than the only permitted month. -
Pack something warm for the trip, e.g. a jumper or light jacket.
The writer supplies possible warm items.
Not this:Pack the required outer layer,
i.e.the blue waterproof jacket. What changes: The writer names the specific item that is required.
Read the full guide
Ask one question before choosing the abbreviation. Am I naming the exact thing I mean, or am I offering possible items from a larger group? Exact meaning calls for i.e. Examples call for e.g. Read the sentence again with the full phrase in place. That quick check often makes the choice clear.
Decide whether you mean exactly or for example
The main difference is the relationship between the extra words and the earlier statement. i.e. narrows the meaning to one precise explanation. e.g. opens a group by naming some members of it. The examples after e.g. do not have to be the whole group.
The office is closed for one public holiday, i.e. New Year's Day.
New Year's Day is the exact holiday meant, so i.e. introduces the clarification.
Which abbreviation fits before apples and pears in We sell fresh fruit?
Use e.g.: We sell fresh fruit, e.g. apples and pears.
Use i.e. to restate a point
Think of i.e. as a compact version of that is or in other words. The words after it should tell the reader what the earlier phrase means in this particular sentence. They do not simply add a related detail.
The report needs one final section, i.e. a short conclusion.
A short conclusion states exactly which final section the report needs.
The event is online, i.e. participants join by video call.
The second clause explains what online means in this situation.
Use e.g. to introduce selected examples
Use e.g. before examples that illustrate a wider category. The list can contain one item or several. It should make sense to add such as before the list. If the list is complete and fixed, write that fact directly instead of using e.g.
Check common file types, e.g. PDF, DOCX, and JPG.
These file types illustrate the category. They do not state that no other type is possible.
How could you give a possible payment method after Pay online?
Write: Pay online, e.g. by card or bank transfer.
Punctuate the extra information clearly
The abbreviation usually begins an inserted phrase, so commas help the reader see where that phrase starts and ends. A sentence can use brackets when the example is an aside: Please bring photo ID (e.g. a passport). Follow the local house style on full stops, but do not mix forms in the same document.
Several evening classes are available, e.g. writing and conversation.
The comma separates the main statement from the example phrase.
Bring photo ID (e.g. a passport) to the reception desk.
The brackets show that the example is additional information, not the core instruction.
Choose words that suit the reader
Abbreviations save space, but they can slow down a reader who does not know them. Use for example or in other words in emails to a broad audience, learner materials, and formal documents where plain wording is preferred. Save i.e. and e.g. for places where your readers are likely to understand them.
For example, bring a pencil and an eraser.
The full phrase is direct and easy to understand in an instruction for a wide audience.
What full phrase can replace i.e. in a sentence for readers unfamiliar with the abbreviation?
Use that is or in other words, depending on the sentence.
Before you go
Remember this
Use i.e. when the next words define or restate the point exactly. Use e.g. when they give possible examples. Keep the punctuation consistent with the writing style you are following, and write the full phrase when clarity matters more than brevity.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "i.e. and e.g.: understand the difference"
What is the difference between i.e. and e.g.?
Use i.e. to explain exactly what an earlier word or phrase means. Use e.g. to give one or more examples from a wider group. You can usually replace i.e. with in other words and e.g. with for example.
The meeting has one purpose, i.e. to decide the launch date.
Does i.e. mean for example?
No. i.e. introduces a clarification or exact restatement. e.g. introduces examples. If a sentence could include more items than the ones named, e.g. is usually the better choice.
The meeting needs a few materials, e.g. the timetable and the budget sheet.
Do i.e. and e.g. need full stops?
Many styles write i.e. and e.g. with full stops. Some styles omit them. Use the form required by the style guide you are following and keep it consistent throughout the document.
The route avoids the city centre, i.e. it does not pass through the central streets.
Should I use commas with i.e. and e.g.?
When the abbreviation begins an inserted phrase in a sentence, commas often make the structure clear. Brackets are also possible when the information is a brief aside. Check the punctuation rules of the style guide for your document.
The route passes several landmarks, e.g. the library and the old station.
Can I say i.e. and e.g. in conversation?
People can say the letter names, but in ordinary conversation it is clearer to say in other words or for example. The abbreviations are most useful in compact written text.
Use a browser with current security updates, e.g. Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.