Common writing errors – Difference Between “i.e.” and “e.g.”

Do you know when to use i.e. and when to use e.g.? If not then read the text below to get a better and more correct CV. Avoid these simple writing errors !

What’s the difference between i.e. and e.g.?

Unless you have studied Latin or studied the English language in depth, it might be a surprise for you to learn that the abbreviations i.e. and e.g. actually mean different things.

e.g. means “for example” and is derived from the Latin “exempli gratia”
i.e. means “that is” and is derived from the Latin “id est”

Terms of usage with some examples

i.e.
There are 6 cars in the parking lot, i.e. Buick, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and Subaru.
(a complete list of the colors)

e.g.
There are 6 cars in the parking lot, e.g. Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar.
(an incomplete list of the colors)

Use i.e. when you are stating the 6 cars in another way
Use e.g. when you are giving examples of them.

i.e.

He had to deliver ASAP, i.e. As Soon As Possible

e.g.
Acronyms are words where each letter stands for a word, e.g. ASAP which means “As Soon As Possible”

Use i.e. when you are explaining the definition
Use e.g. when giving an example in most cases

Latin abbreviations are italicized, but in this case there is no agreement throughout the Grammar gurus. Some say it needs to be italicized and some say that they are so commonly used there is no need to do that.

The above is part of the Tips and Tricks section for CV writing on Comoto.

The Comoto Team

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Common writing errors – Difference Between “i.e.” and “e.g.”

What’s the difference between i.e. and e.g.?

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