i.e. vs. ex: 2

[rjoubert]

During my school years, I remember using ex: to list out examples when trying to illustrate a point. If I'm not mistaken, it's short for "For Example:"

Ever since I've been working, I've seen many emails and documents that use i.e. What does i.e. stand for, what is the difference between i.e. and ex:, and what are the appropriate uses of each?

 

[LNBruno]

Courtesy Wikipedia:

Although commonly confused and misused in colloquial English, e.g. (exempli gratia) and i.e. (id est), both from Latin, are not equivalents.

Exempli gratia, which means "for example", is used before giving examples of something:

I have lots of favorite colors, e.g., blue, green, and hot pink.

Id est, which means "that is" or "in other words", is used before clarifying the meaning of something when elaborating, specifying, or explaining rather than when giving examples:

I can't decide on just one favorite color, i.e., I have many favorite colors.

A common mnemonic for English speakers is i.e. being the initials for "in effect", "I explain" and, arguably, "indicative example" ; and e.g. being the initials for "example given".



< M!ke >
I am not a hamster and life is not a wheel.

 

[rjoubert]

Reading the same document here...now I see e.g. being used. What does that stand for, and how does it fit in with i.e. and ex: ?

 

[rjoubert]

Thanks LNBruno...good info.

 

[AnotherHiggins]

I think you are confusing ex and eg.

Ex is, indeed, sometimes used to list examples. It is short for example. But it is informal and really doesn't belong in the same discussion as ie and eg (IMHO).

ie: Short for the Latin "id est", meaning "that is" or
"in other words"

eg: Short for the Latin "exempli gratia", meaning "for example"

[tt]_____
[blue]-John[/blue][/tt]
[tab][red]The plural of anecdote is not data[/red]

Help us help you. Please read FAQ 181-2886 before posting.

 

[LNBruno]

Good catch, John!

< M!ke >
I am not a hamster and life is not a wheel.

 

[ncotton]

I've, I dont think we in England, have every really condoned the use of Ex as an abbreviation, however we do commonly use e.g, and i.e

Think of EG as Example or (EGample), a list of values that support the statement. These EGs are objects of deffinition to the the "owner" or "point to be made" of the statement. It denotes OPTIONS

Think of IE as "In Other Words", a short statement, or a number of items that SUPPORT the previous statement. It denotes an EXPLANATION.

Neil J Cotton
Technical Consultant
Anix Group Ltd