Use e.g. to introduce examples. It stands for the Latin exempli gratia, meaning “for example.” Use i.e. to specify or restate what you mean. It stands for id est, meaning “that is.”
Read the abbreviation in English
- Pack a snack (e.g., an apple or crackers). These are examples of snacks. You could bring another kind.
- Come at the start of the lunch break (i.e., at noon). The added words tell you exactly when the break starts.
Choose punctuation and wording
In American English, it’s common to use a comma after either abbreviation in parentheses, as shown above. Follow your style guide when it specifies a format. In the main sentence, writing out for example or that is often reads more naturally. Try the English phrase if you’re unsure which abbreviation fits.
