mis
Lexington, KY - Most Americans have never studied Latin, i.e., we haven't spent time learning the language of the ancient people of the Italian region once known as Latium. But that hasn't stopped many of us from using Latin abbreviations - e.g., i.e. and e.g. - and using them frequently.
So what do i.e. and e.g. mean, and when should each be used?
exempli gratia
E.g. is short for , which means "for example." Example begins with "e," so it's easy to remember this: After you use e.g., you're going to offer at least one example. "I love historic Lexington buildings, e.g., the Hunt-Morgan House."
id est
The other abbreviation - i.e. - is short for and, loosely translated, means "that is." You use i.e. when you're about to clarify something. "I love historic Lexington buildings, i.e., those that are 100 years old or older."
each
Note that to use i.e. and e.g. correctly, you must do two things: 1) place a period after letter (i.e. and e.g., not ie, eg, e.g or ie.), and 2) use a comma after the abbreviation to separate it from the words that will follow.
Latin continues to be taught as a historical language, but only occasionally as an oral or "living" language - to be spoken and understood in conversation. One of the few college classes in "Living Latin" is taught at the University of Kentucky, i.e., our hometown U.
Neil Chethik, aka the Grammar Gourmet, is writer-in-residence at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning (http://www.carnegieliteracy.org). The Center offers writing classes and seminars for businesses and individuals. Contact Neil at nchet@aol.com.