“E.g.” vs. “I.e.”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “e.g.” and “i.e.”

  • "E.g." is used for providing examples, while "i.e." is used for rephrasing or explaining something.
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What is the definition of “e.g.” and “i.e.”?

E.g.
  • "E.g." is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," which means "for example."
  • It is used to introduce examples of something previously mentioned or to clarify a statement or argument.
  • "E.g." is typically followed by a comma and the examples are listed afterwards.
I.e.
  • "I.e." is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase "id est," which means "that is."
  • It is used to restate or explain something previously mentioned in a different way.
  • "I.e." is typically followed by a comma and the restatement or explanation follows afterwards.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“E.g.” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
E.g.
1,800,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I love watching romantic comedies, e.g., "When Harry Met Sally" and "Notting Hill".
  2. There are several popular programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++) that developers commonly use.
  3. The company offers a variety of products, such as electronics (e.g., smartphones, laptops) and home appliances.
I.e.
1,750,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Sarah is allergic to seafood, i.e., she can't eat anything that comes from the ocean.
  2. My neighbor works from home, i.e., he doesn't have to commute to the office every day.
  3. Lisa is a vegetarian, i.e., she doesn't consume any meat or animal products.
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