Buzz
The abbreviation “i.e.” stands for the Latin phrase id est, which means “that is” or “in other words.” You might be unsure about how to use “i.e.” when writing essays or business proposals in English. Start by determining if “i.e.” is appropriate for your sentence. Then, insert “i.e.” correctly, ensuring proper comma usage for grammatical accuracy. With a few simple steps, you’ll soon master the use of “i.e.”
Steps
Decide When to Use “i.e.”
Use "i.e." to mean “that is” or “in other words.” The abbreviation "i.e." is used when you want to clarify the first part of a sentence and provide additional information. The explanation should elaborate on the initial statement to help the reader understand better.
- For example, you could write: “I am a vegan, i.e., I do not eat any animal-based products” or “He works the morning shift, i.e., from 6 am to 1 pm.”
Do not use "i.e." to mean “for example” or “such as.” You should avoid using “i.e.” when providing examples or illustrations for your statement. Instead, use “e.g.,” which is the abbreviation for the Latin phrase “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example.”
- For instance, you would write: “I do not like eating raw fish, i.e., sushi” and “I don't like Japanese food, e.g., sushi or ramen.”
- Alternatively, you could write: “She likes poetry about love, i.e., poems that explore matters of the heart” and “She likes poetry about love, e.g., poems by the New Romantics.”
Use this abbreviation in informal documents or quick notes. You can include “i.e.” in sentences when writing emails or letters to friends, casual class assignments, or quick business notes. However, for formal business documents or academic papers, consider using “that is” or “in other words” instead.
- In some cases, you may use “i.e.” in articles, essays, or academic writing. Always check with your instructor to ensure the abbreviation is appropriate for your paper.
Place “i.e.” in a sentence
Use lowercase letters and include periods. The abbreviation “i.e.” should always be written in lowercase, with a period after each letter.
Do not italicize or bold this abbreviation. There’s no need to format “i.e.” differently from the rest of your text. Write it in regular lowercase letters, without italics or bold styling.
Place commas before and after “i.e.” This highlights the abbreviation and signals to the reader that additional information follows.
- For example, you could write: “He prefers native plants in the garden, i.e., plants that naturally grow in the area” or “I have a soft spot for holiday music, i.e., songs that are about Christmas or Halloween.”
Position "i.e." in the middle of a sentence, never at the beginning or end. The abbreviation “i.e.” should always follow the initial part of a sentence and appear in the middle to maintain grammatical correctness.
- For instance, sentences like “I.e. he likes super heroes” or “He likes super heroes, i.e.” are incorrect. The correct structure is: “He likes super heroes, i.e., social misfits who save the world.”
