Jan 12, 2012 · If you're referring to id est, i.e. "i.e.", The Oatmeal has just published a comic on that. In all seriousness though, you use it to mean 'that is' or 'in other words' or 'in essence'. When you're explaining something, you use i.e. or its synonymous English phrases when you are about to express the explanation in different terms, as a means of ...

Jul 13, 2023 · i.e., and e.g. have distinctly separate meanings. i.e., which is an abbreviation of the Latin id est (that is),introduces a definition (He threatened them with massive retaliation, i.e. the hydrogen bomb). e.g., which is an abbreviation of the Latin exemplia gratia (for example), introduces an illustration (He avoids all frivolous diversions, e ...

The difference is that i.e. doesn't follow a clarification; it is not used for corrections, too. Those walking boots are synthetic, i.e., not leather or suede. He was a long-haired kid with freckles. Last time I saw him, that is. Those are androcentric—that is to say, male-dominated—concepts.

Feb 10, 2011 · The following doesn't need "i.e.": "...no historical estimates (estimates prepared prior to 1 February 2001) are available..." I am struggling to think of a situation where "i.e." is absolutely necessary at all. I use "i.e." a lot in my writing, but I think in future I am going to assess whether they are necessary at all.

Aug 24, 2017 · American sources (including the US examples in the dictionaries, or examples in US dictionaries) tend to favour putting a comma after "i.e." and "e.g.", as do many US style guides, while British sources don't tend to include or advocate such commas.

Dec 20, 2016 · So use “i.e.” when you want to rephrase something you’ve already said, and use “e.g.” when you want to offer an example. Put a comma before and after; avoid using both in the same sentence; and try not to use either in formal prose. And (a bonus tip) if you start a list with “e.g.,” there’s no need to put “etc.” at the end.

i.e. is an abbreviation for the Latin id est, which means 'that (literally, 'it') is'. You can use any formulation which says the same thing. Personally, I avoid Latin phrases and abbreviations where possible. If they disappear from general use, as seems quite likely, I would say good riddance.

i.e.: 'In essence' or 'in other words'. It is used to clarify the original phrase with something specific. Edit: The Latin translation of i.e. is "that is to say" but the words I listed are what helps me remember. It was sad to have reached the end, i.e., the final episode in the series. 'The end' and 'the final episode' are the same thing. e.g.

Mar 15, 2014 · The publishing houses I've worked for have unanimously preferred spelling out "that is" to using the abbreviation "i.e." in running or main text. I am not aware of any U.S. publishers that endorse Oxford's distinction between use of "i.e." in running text (discouraged) and use of "i.e." in parentheticals (approved).

My view is that i.e. can usually be replaced with that is to say, so if you are prepared to start a sentence with "That is to say" then "I.e." should be OK too, and if not then not. I think it is fine.