why i.e is the short form for THAT IS. What does i.e stand for?

Answer 1

It is true that "i.e." stands for Latin "id est" meaning "that is"

But no one has yet answered the question of WHY we use a Latin abbreviation for an English term.

The explanation is simple. "Latin was once the universal academic language in Europe. From the eighteenth century authors started using their mother tongue to write books, papers or proceedings. However many Latin abbreviations continued to be used due to their precise simplicity and also Latin's status as a learned language."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_abbreviations


Also note: when you see one of these Latin abbreviations, you are NOT supposed to pronounce the letters or their Latin meaning. That is, you do NOT say "i.e." or "id est" or "et cetera". Rather you say "that is", "and so forth", "namely", or whatever the English translation would be. In other words, treat the Latin abbreviation like a numeral or symbol -- when readers encounter "2" or "&" they are to read aloud the word that symbol stands for in THEIR language.

Answer 2

i.e. is an abbreviation for id est, a Latin phrase meaning “that is.” It indicates that an explanation or paraphrase is about to follow: “Many workers expect to put in a forty-hour week — i.e., to work eight hours a day.”

Answer 3

i.e. is a Latin word standing for id est.

Which means that is.

Answer 4

It stand for the Latin 'id est'

Answer 5

i.e. is short for the latin it is.

Answer 6

id est.
it's a latin word which means that is

Answer 7

Internet explorer of course

Answer 8

id est.

It is Latin.