What is the difference between i.e. and e.g.?
I.e. means that is and is used to clarify or specify exactly what you mean. E.g. means for example and is used to give one or more examples from a larger group.
Compare these sentences: I love citrus fruits, e.g., oranges and lemons. Here, oranges and lemons are just examples of citrus fruits. Now compare: I love the largest citrus fruit, i.e., the pomelo. Here, i.e. names the one specific fruit meant. I.e. points to a specific thing, while e.g. points to possibilities.
A simple test: if you can replace the abbreviation with in other words, use i.e. If you can replace it with for example, use e.g. Memory tricks include i.e. as in essence and e.g. as example given.
Punctuation
In American English, both abbreviations are usually written with two periods and followed by a comma. They are often placed in parentheses, as in (e.g., cats and dogs). When in doubt, writing the full English phrase can make your meaning clearer.
Did You Know?
Both abbreviations come from Latin, which was the main language of scholarship in Europe for centuries.