4. Wonder when to use i.e. and when to use e.g.? When you’re listing examples, use e.g. It’s short for exempli gratia, which means “for the sake of example” in Latin.
When you’re explaining something, use i.e., which is short for id est, or “that is.” I can never remember the Latin, so I cheat here. “In essence” starts with the same letters. If you can use “in essence” and still have your sentence make sense, use i.e. Otherwise, use e.g.
I like big dogs, e.g. St. Bernards, Golden Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. I like Golden Retrievers and St. Bernards, i.e. big dogs.
– 8:30PM