You’re staring at an email. You want to list a few coffee shops, but you pause. Does is e.g. for example the right way to put it, or is that just repeating yourself? It’s one of those tiny linguistic speed bumps that makes everyone second-guess their IQ for a split second.
Most people treat "e.g." and "i.e." like interchangeable spices. They aren't. They’re more like salt and sugar—look similar, but swap them in a recipe and you’ve ruined the cake.
The short answer? Yes. Is e.g. for example? Basically, yeah. It stands for the Latin phrase exempli gratia. If you translated that literally, it means "for the sake of example." But the way we actually use it in modern English is just a shorthand for "for example" or "such as."
Why do we even use Latin anymore?
It feels a bit pretentious, doesn't it? Using dead language scraps in a text message about grocery lists. We keep these abbreviations around because they’re efficient. They save space. But because we don't speak Latin at the dinner table, we forget which is which.
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Bryan Garner, the guy who literally wrote the book on modern American usage (Garner's Modern English Usage), notes that the confusion between e.g. and i.e. is one of the most common errors in professional writing. It happens because both start with vowels and both involve lists. But they serve completely different logical functions.
Think of it like this. Use e.g. when you’re giving a few options out of many. If I say, "I love spicy snacks, e.g., Flamin' Hot Cheetos," I'm not saying Cheetos are the only spicy snack in existence. I'm just picking one from a giant pile of possibilities.
On the flip side, i.e. stands for id est. That means "that is" or "in other words." You use it when you’re being specific or clarifying a point. "I’m going to the big city, i.e., New York." There is only one New York in this context. You aren't giving an example; you’re defining exactly what you mean.
The Grammar Police and the Punctuation War
Here’s where it gets kinda nerdy. Do you need a comma after it?
If you ask the folks at the Chicago Manual of Style, they’ll tell you yes. Always. In American English, the standard is to put a comma after e.g. and i.e.
Example: "Bring some outdoor gear, e.g., boots and a jacket."
But if you’re in the UK, or following the Oxford University Press style, they often skip the comma. It looks cleaner to them. Honestly, unless you’re writing a thesis or a legal brief, the most important thing is just being consistent. Don’t use a comma on page one and skip it on page two. That’s what actually bugs readers.
Another weird thing? You don't need to italicize them. Even though they’re Latin, they’ve been "naturalized" into English. They live here now. Treat them like regular words.
Is e.g. for example always the best choice?
Sometimes, no.
In high-stakes UX writing or accessibility-focused content, e.g. can be a bit of a hurdle. Screen readers sometimes struggle with it. A screen reader might say "e dot g dot" or try to pronounce it as a word, which sounds like "egg." That’s confusing.
If you’re writing for a broad audience, "for example" is just better. It’s clearer. It’s more human.
But in a cramped spreadsheet or a parenthetical note? e.g. is a lifesaver. It keeps things snappy.
Common Mistakes That Make Editors Cringe
One of the biggest blunders is using "etc." at the end of a list that started with e.g.
Think about it. e.g. already tells the reader "here are a few examples among many." Adding "etc." at the end is like saying "for example, apples, oranges, and so on." It’s redundant. You’ve already signaled that the list is incomplete. Pick one or the other.
Also, watch out for the "i.e." trap in casual conversation. People often say "i.e." when they mean "for example" because it sounds more formal or "smarter." It doesn't. It just sounds like you don't know the difference between an example and a definition.
The "Is e.g. For Example" Cheat Sheet
If you’re still confused, use these mental anchors.
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- e.g. = Example Given. (Easy to remember because of the 'E' and 'G').
- i.e. = In Effect. (Or "In other words").
Imagine you’re talking about your favorite seasons.
"I love the cold months (e.g., January and February)."
Here, you're just picking two months as examples.
"I love the last month of the year (i.e., December)."
Here, you are identifying the specific month. There’s only one "last month."
Real-World Application in 2026
Writing in 2026 is all about brevity. We’re competing with short-form video and AI-generated summaries. Your writing needs to be punchy.
Using is e.g. for example correctly actually helps your SEO. Search engines are getting better at understanding intent and grammatical relationships. When you use these terms correctly, you’re providing clear semantic signals. You’re telling the algorithm (and the human reader) exactly how your ideas relate to one another.
Are you offering a subset of data? Use e.g.
Are you clarifying a complex term? Use i.e.
Breaking the Rules
Can you start a sentence with e.g.? Technically, sure. But it looks terrible. It’s like starting a sentence with a percentage sign. If you find yourself needing to start a sentence with an example, just write "For example," and move on with your life.
Don't overthink the dots, either. In the US, it’s almost always e.g. (with two periods). In some modern tech circles, people are starting to drop the periods entirely (eg), but that hasn't hit the mainstream style guides yet. Stick to the periods if you want to look polished.
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Actionable Steps for Better Writing
- Search your document. Hit Ctrl+F and look for every "i.e." and "e.g." you used.
- The Swap Test. Replace every "e.g." with the words "for example." If the sentence still makes sense, you used it right.
- The Definition Test. Replace every "i.e." with "that is to say." If it fits, you’re golden.
- Check for "etc." If you see an "etc." at the end of an e.g. list, delete it immediately.
- Audit for Accessibility. If your article is meant for a global audience or people with visual impairments, consider replacing these abbreviations with plain English "for example" or "specifically."
Mastering these tiny Latin relics isn't about being a grammar snob. It’s about clarity. It’s about making sure the person on the other end of the screen understands exactly what you mean without having to pause and translate your shorthand. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and you'll never have to wonder if you're using them wrong again.