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Pedants' corner

'eg' means 'for example', you meant 'ie'

69 replies

GarlicMaybeNot · 22/11/2023 21:47

On the one hand, it's nice that people are using literary abbreviations. On the other, I wish they'd use the right one!

While we're at it, 'persay' isn't a thing. It's 'per se'.

OP posts:
ilovepixie · 22/11/2023 22:25

You ok hun?

keye · 22/11/2023 22:27

Can you explain what you mean?

I thought ie meant the same as eg Blush

HardcoreLadyType · 22/11/2023 22:29

keye · 22/11/2023 22:27

Can you explain what you mean?

I thought ie meant the same as eg Blush

e.g. means “for example”
i.e. means “that is”

betterangels · 22/11/2023 22:29

i.e. means that is (to say)

Scampuss · 22/11/2023 22:31

Isn't it "e.g." and "i.e."?

7Worfs · 22/11/2023 22:33

Interesting. I use e.g. all the time as I tend to give examples in communication. I don’t think I’ve used i.e. more than a handful of times in my entire life!
Making a note to shoehorn i.e. in some emails tomorrow.

HardcoreLadyType · 22/11/2023 22:34

So, for example (!) one might say, “can you bring something sweet e.g. a trifle or a fruit pie.”

Or one might say “can you bring something sweet, i.e. something for pudding.”

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 22/11/2023 22:34

Scampuss · 22/11/2023 22:31

Isn't it "e.g." and "i.e."?

I have the impression the Americans are very hot on this, the British less so.

Examples to differentiate:

I like brunch, e.g. eggs benedict, bacon rolls.

I like brunch, i.e. a meal which is a cross between breakfast and lunch and eaten mid or late morning.

WatershipClown · 22/11/2023 22:34

e.g. stands for exempli gratia = for the sake of example

i.e. stands for id est = that is

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 22/11/2023 22:37

WatershipClown · 22/11/2023 22:34

e.g. stands for exempli gratia = for the sake of example

i.e. stands for id est = that is

This. what an odd thread

GarlicMaybeNot · 22/11/2023 22:37

ilovepixie · 22/11/2023 22:25

You ok hun?

😂👏👏

OP posts:
GarlicMaybeNot · 22/11/2023 22:40

7Worfs · 22/11/2023 22:33

Interesting. I use e.g. all the time as I tend to give examples in communication. I don’t think I’ve used i.e. more than a handful of times in my entire life!
Making a note to shoehorn i.e. in some emails tomorrow.

Shoehorn away! Then sit back and enjoy your replies misusing 'eg' 😉

OP posts:
LoveBluey · 22/11/2023 22:40

I love this thread! I have never actually stopped to consider the difference and what the Latin meaning is.
I do think I just innately understand how to use each of those abbreviations though.

Loveduvetdays · 22/11/2023 22:41

I think of it as e.g example given, i.e is 'in other words',

SoupDragon · 22/11/2023 22:42

Scampuss · 22/11/2023 22:31

Isn't it "e.g." and "i.e."?

That was my first thought 😂

Missedmytoe · 22/11/2023 22:54

I think the last time I used i.e. was when I wrote my dissertation. That aside, I agree - it really bothers me when people use expressions that they don't understand (and usually can't spell). I remember reading a social media post from someone saying that they were 'on root' to a gig.

keye · 22/11/2023 22:55

Missedmytoe · 22/11/2023 22:54

I think the last time I used i.e. was when I wrote my dissertation. That aside, I agree - it really bothers me when people use expressions that they don't understand (and usually can't spell). I remember reading a social media post from someone saying that they were 'on root' to a gig.

I'm sorry it bothers you that people have less knowledge than you. I'm one of those people and I don't do it to bother you, I just lack education.

keye · 22/11/2023 22:56

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Thank you, the examples make sense

IWasFunBeforeMum · 22/11/2023 22:58

Persay 😂😂😂

Missedmytoe · 22/11/2023 23:09

keye · 22/11/2023 22:55

I'm sorry it bothers you that people have less knowledge than you. I'm one of those people and I don't do it to bother you, I just lack education.

That wasn't really the point I was making. I was brought up to not use words and expressions if I didn't know what they meant. To me that seems logical. No offense was intended.

tescocreditcard · 22/11/2023 23:09

Another one I see all the time is "living carer". It's " Live-in carer".

penjil · 22/11/2023 23:14

e.g. stands for 'exampli gratia' in Latin - meaning 'for example'.

i.e. stands for 'id est' in Latin - meaning 'that is'

booksandbrooks · 22/11/2023 23:16

WatershipClown · 22/11/2023 22:34

e.g. stands for exempli gratia = for the sake of example

i.e. stands for id est = that is

Although I always remember ie as 'in essence' wrong but helpful or at least was at school Blush

penjil · 22/11/2023 23:16

Oh, and the Facebook Marketplace classic Chester draws.

Or even worse Chester draw's.

It's Chest of Drawers for Pete's sake!!!

Sunnyshoeshine · 22/11/2023 23:17

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 22/11/2023 22:37

This. what an odd thread

Why is it an odd thread? This is pedants' corner after all!