e.g. vs. i.e.

[Alan_Smithee]

You know, I’m not so sure about the commas. I used to be strict about this myself, but it seems as if I’ve encountered the abreviations in edited writing without the second comma, and I’ve wondered if this rule has been altered for the sake of typographical simplicity and economy. In a similar vein, I’ve always used a comma to separate an introductory phrase or clause, but I now see carefully edited professional writing in which even fairly long dependant clauses are comma-less.

[Tomcat]

There was a “Rhymes with Orange” comic years ago that summed it up nicely for me:

For e.g.-zample

**i.**n **e.**therwords…

Quick memory tricks are cool.

-Tcat

[Liberal]

@t-bonham@scc.net

Personally, I’ve always thought that people who stick Latin abbreviations in an English document are pompous idiots.

If you’re writing in English, stay in English.

It hardly takes any more characters to write “for example” rather than “e. g.”, and you can be sure to be understood.

So IMHO, the “proper usage” of these is not at all!

It can get pretty ridiculous, e.g., i.e…

[Giles]

@Aesiron

Thank you. I’ve been meaning to ask about the use of commas when using those terms for a while now but kept forgetting. The periods kept throwing me off.

The reason why you are confused is because there are different practices. A comma is generally required after “e.g.” and “i.e.” in American English, but not so generally required in British or Australian English. I personally (as an Australian) prefer not to use a comma after them, but at work, my employer’s house style requires me to use the comma.

So the rule is:
(1) Follow house style if you have to, and
(2) At least be consistent one way or the other.

[spingears]

@t-bonham@scc.net

Personally, I’ve always thought that people who stick Latin abbreviations in an English document are pompous idiots.
If you’re writing in English, stay in English.
It hardly takes any more characters to write “for example” rather than “e. g.”, and you can be sure to be understood.
So IMHO, the “proper usage” of these is not at all!

As the farmer said when he kissed the cow, "Everyone to his own taste."

[gigi]

@Ignatz

And remember that some folks think it’s all right to split infinitives always or at least sometimes.

Touché! Thank you for the reminder since this is something I often forget.

[Colophon]

Not only does my employer’s house style say no comma, it says no full stops (ie periods) either. But then we Brits tend to be more minimalist in our punctuatory habits than others, eg Americans.

[Philster]

There are three things I always have trouble with. Math and grammar.

[Snickers]

And tbonham gets it in one - really, don’t use these. Why? Because they’re so easily confused (witness the OP). To make it very clear and simple to understand, write “for example” when you mean “for example” and “that is” or “in other words” when you mean “that is” or “in other words.” There’s no chance for misunderstanding and your readers will thank you.

Just because others use them doesn’t mean you have to. Writing clearly and concisely and trying to eliminate any source of confusion is harder than you think, but is much better for your audience.

Snicks, technical writer