What’s the deal with “e.g.” and “i.e.” — and when, if ever, do we need to use them? These Latin abbreviations cause a lot of confusion, but some simple mnemonic devices will help you remember how to use them properly. |
N othing packs a punch like throwing a bit of Latin into your writing, but using it incorrectly is a surefire way for your argument to fall flat. However, you don’t need to be a Latin expert or a legal scholar to use the ancient language. The abbreviations “i.e.” and “e.g.” are accessible for anyone, so let’s review how to use them. “Exempli gratia” is Latin for “for example” or “for instance,” while “id est” is Latin for “that is to say” or “in other words.”
Despite their shared Latin origins, “e.g.” and “i.e.” have distinct meanings and are not interchangeable. Use “e.g.” when providing examples: "He has many talents and interests, e.g., playing guitar, vegetable gardening, and studying French history." Pull out “i.e.” for a clarification or more specific description: "He has many talents and interests, i.e., he's a Renaissance man."
Luckily there are mnemonics (memory aids) to help us remember how to use the Latin abbreviations. Remind yourself that “e.g.” means “for example” by remembering “e” is for “example” or “examples: good.” To recall that “i.e.” means “in other words,” remember that “i” is for “in other words” or “in essence.” One final trick: When writing these abbreviations in a sentence, put periods after each letter and a comma after the second period.
More on language: https://wordsmarts.com/category/language/
|
No comments:
Post a Comment