Comma After “e.g.” and “i.e.” – Explained For Beginners

When using abbreviations like “e.g.” or “i.e.,” it’s important to understand their punctuation rules. This article will explain everything there is to know about them and how to use commas after them.

Should I Use A Comma After “e.g.” and “i.e.”?

You should use a comma after “e.g.” because it means “for example.” That means that a list of objects will follow “e.g.,” and it is standard practice to include a comma before a list. However, “i.e.” does not need a comma after it, as it presents no list.

It may help you to see the two words in action to explain what comes after them. Once you understand what comes after them, you’ll know why commas are (or are not) needed.

• He talked me through everything he was going to go for the project, e.g., the when, the where, and the how.
• I grew up in one city, i.e. Los Angeles.

As you can see, “e.g.” typically gives us a list of items in a group. For this reason, we would always use a comma after it since we would also use a comma after a similar phrase like “for example.”

However, “i.e.” only ever lists one item. It means “that is,” which shows the exact thing or object we want to discuss. Therefore, there is never a need to include a comma after it.

Is It Ever Correct To Use A Comma Before “e.g.” and “i.e.”?

It is correct to use a comma before “e.g.” and “i.e.” when they are part of the next clause in the sentence. This works just like any other sentence with multiple clauses. We use the dependent clause after the independent clause to show how the two are connected.

It’s not always common to see commas before the two abbreviations. You will often see them encased in parentheses, which takes away the need to worry about other punctuation forms.

However, when they are not in parentheses, they will almost entirely have a comma come before them.

Also, this time there is no difference between “e.g.” or “i.e..” That’s because we use common English rules to dictate where to place commas in sentences. Now, we simply rely on the clause that each of the abbreviations set up.

What Does “e.g.” Mean?

“E.g.” means “exempli gratia” in Latin. It translates to “for example,” and it has become a common English abbreviation to help inform us of a list of items. It’s quick and easy to use, and many people understand its meaning much better than abbreviating “for example” to “f.e.”

Since English originated from Latin, it’s not unheard of for many of its old words to still be present today. That’s why we use “e.g.” whenever we’re trying to come up with a list.

All native speakers will understand what “e.g.” means and how to use it. Even if they don’t know exactly what it stands for, they will at least understand that a list will follow the word.

What Does “i.e.” Mean?

“I.e.” means “id est” in Latin. This translates to mean “that is,” which we use to identify the exact object we want to discuss. It works well because people understand that “i.e.” is trying to demonstrate a more specific case in writing, which might otherwise be overlooked.

Again, it’s common for Latin words to still be used in English. “I.e.” is another one of those Latin abbreviations that everyone understands the meaning of, even if they don’t exactly know what the word stands for.

Examples Of How To Use “e.g.” In A Sentence

It might help you to see some more examples. To help you understand this, we’ll start with “e.g.” Pay attention to all the punctuation rules and types we use.

1. This government is more corrupt than those in the less developed countries (e.g., parts of Africa and Middle-East Asia).
2. I had everything with me that was part of my exam-smashing kit (e.g., pens, pencils, rulers, calculators, and the like).
3. There are many elements in the periodic table that we come into contact with daily (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen).
4. There are plenty of sports available to partake in within the school (e.g., rock-climbing, judo, and track and field).
5. Take your pick from one of the restaurants on this list – e.g., the Japanese place, the Chinese one, or the curry house.

“E.g.” works whenever we want to disclose a list. Remember, a comma must always follow the abbreviation because a group of objects will follow it. It must be broken up from the rest of the sentence.

Examples Of How To Use “i.e.” In A Sentence

“I.e.” works in a much different way, and it would help to understand what this way is before you choose to use it yourself.

1. I love to eat my favorite dish (i.e. sushi) whenever I get a chance to visit the city.
2. Only one city – i.e. London, has hosted the Olympics three times.
3. My mother, i.e. the devil, does not want me to go out and play with my friends anymore.
4. My parents, i.e. the people I care about the most in this world, want nothing but the best from me with this scholarship.
5. I have to revise to understand the fundamental rules of trigonometry, i.e. how sine, cosine, and tangent work.

“I.e.” does not require a comma. Instead, we use it to refer to something “that is” related to the previous thing we said. Usually, this is only one item or a group of closely related items.

Is It Appropriate To Use “e.g.” and “i.e.” In Academic Writing?

Finally, let’s look at whether we can use either of these abbreviations in academic writing.

Both “e.g.” and “i.e.” are correct in academic writing. In fact, they are encouraged whenever you want to list examples or show what you are talking about. Many examiners will encourage you to use them to save space and make your writing quick and succinct.

It’s very common for academic and scientific research papers to use the two abbreviations. They are common because of their Latin origin, and also because of how easy they are for most people to interpret once read on the page.

You may also like:

Comma Before Or After “For Example”? Explained For Beginners

Comma Before Or After Parentheses? Explained For Beginners