Do people know the difference between i.e. and e.g. ?

Question

People are forever using i.e. when they mean e.g. and vice versa.
I wish people would try to be a bit smarter.

Yeah, cheers. Please read the question. I wasn't looking for explanations. I quite clearly already know the difference.

Answer 1

Don't get your hopes too high. I see the same thing all the time. These are the same people who don't have a clue what the word "decimate" means, and use it to refer to total destruction.
They have never figured out the difference between "literally" and "figuratively".
They become angry when someone tries to teach them to speak or write the language properly. You can expect to receive some negative responses to this question.
It is unfortunate that Latin is no longer taught in high schools.
Almost every day, one can see requests posted here for an explanation of Latin terms.

Answer 2

I never knew what they meant until reading this thread. It was never covered when I was in school, and by the time I was eligible for latin, the class had already been disolved... Of course I don't try to use words/abbreviations that I have no clue to the meaning of in the first place^_^.

If you want to see a hilarious movie with an (intentional)example of misusing words, watch "Stick It". I love the line the ditzy girl says right before the gymnastics teacher gets on the trampoline. lol.

Answer 3

Monkey Harris

To be honest there is a difference between both these abbreviation (i.e and e.g) as they mean different things. It's just people don't really understand the subtle difference and have confused it to mean the same thing..... It all comes down to simple LATIN - explanation below. Now you to can correct people when they get it wrong....

i.e.- Is abbreviated Latin id est meaning (that is)

where as

e.g. Is abbreviated Latin exmepli gratia meaning (for example)

Hope this has helped cleared the point

DM

Answer 4

Thanks for the question! I have learnt English since I was 12, little things like this tend to be ignored. OK, you learned this in the primary school in USA, but I am from Indonesia. I came to USA when I was 22. I always thought i.e. means in example.. ignorance, I know.. I am sorry.. Now I know and am a bit smarter!!

Answer 5

Both are Latin abbreviations that are commonly used and nearly as commonly mixed up. The best way to use them correctly is to understand what they stand for.

i.e.
"I.e." stands simply for "that is," which in Latin is 'id est'. Basically, i.e. means "in other words." It's used to reword or to make more clear. Use i.e. when what you are introducing is equivalent to or an explanation of what comes before it in the sentence.

"I'll eat anything; i.e., I like any kind of meat."

e.g.
"E.g." means "for example" and comes from the Latin expression exempli gratia. An easy way to remember what e.g. means is to think of it as standing for "example given."

"I'll eat anything, e.g., chicken, beef, pork, etc."

Answer 6

i find "e.g." (exempli gratia, or "for example") a useful abbreviation, e.g. in a piece of writing

however, "i.e." (id est, or "that is") borders on the redundant, i.e. if you have to explain what you just said maybe you should have said it better in the first place, if you get my drift ...

Answer 7

Thanks to those that took the time to explain.

I didn't know the difference and I didn't know they are Latin. I learned English for four years and the students knew more English than the teacher. The result is miserable.

Answer 8

Yes there is a drastic decline in the written word ever since texting became the new way of communicating. And you know what! it is going to get much worse. (or worser as they might say:))

Answer 9

of course most people know the difference. that is and for example

Answer 10

i think people should spell out what they mean anyway, rather than relying on initials from a foreign language. It's hard to read text that's littered with abbreviations.