The Difference Between i.e. and e.g. in Business Communication

Navigating the business world can be intimidating, especially with all the industry-specific acronyms and jargon. Two of the most commonly used, yet often misunderstood, abbreviations are i.e. and e.g. Let's dive deeper into their meanings, when to use them, and see them in action.

Both i.e. and e.g. are abbreviations for Latin phrases. While they have similar meanings, they serve different purposes in a sentence. So, what exactly do these abbreviations mean?

i.e. stands for "id est," which translates to "that is" or "in other words." It provides clarification or further explanation for the subject mentioned before it. A helpful way to remember how to use i.e. is to think of the "I" in "in other words." For example:

"Our presentation is due by 5:00 PM on Friday – i.e., our edits must be completed by 4:00 PM on Thursday."

e.g. stands for "exempli gratia," which means "for example." It introduces one or more examples to support the sentence before it. To remember when to use e.g., think of the "E" for "example." For instance:

"If you're going to be offline, please update your Slack status. E.g., I set my status to 'Walking the pups' for an hour every day to let people know I'm away from my desk."

To ensure proper usage, keep these tips in mind:

• Always place a period after each letter in the abbreviation (i.e. and e.g.).
• Capitalize the first letter if they appear at the beginning of a sentence (I.e. and E.g.).
• They do not need to be italicized.
• Add a comma when they are in the middle of a sentence or within parentheses (i.e., like this).

Let's see these abbreviations in action with some examples:

Example 1:

Hi Nicole,

It was great meeting with you today. I will review the slides you sent for the sales team presentation and provide feedback shortly – i.e., within one to two business days.

Thank you,

Ella

In this example, i.e. specifies the timeframe for the feedback ("shortly" means one to two business days).

Example 2:

Hi Becca,

Thank you for exploring a potential partnership with me today. I have attached additional documents (e.g., resource #1, resource #2, and resource #3) providing more information about our premium plan pricing and its benefits.

I look forward to discussing these resources in our next meeting on September 20th. Please let me know if you have any questions in the meantime.

Best,

Kelsey

Here, e.g. is used to list specific examples of information provided in the attached documents, giving the recipient a better understanding of what to expect.

Not sure if you're using the correct abbreviation? A simple trick is to double-check your sentence and substitute the English phrase for the abbreviation. For example:

"I'll get back to you shortly – in other words, one to two business days."

"I have attached additional documents (for example, resource #1, resource #2, and resource #3) providing more information about our premium pricing plan and its benefits."

If the sentence still makes sense, you can confidently use the abbreviation. Now you're all set to effectively communicate with your colleagues and clients.

In the business world, communication is key. Avoiding misunderstandings caused by confusing terms like i.e. and e.g. is crucial. By understanding their meanings and how to use them correctly, you can ensure clear and effective communication in all your interactions. So, keep these tips in mind, and start using i.e. and e.g. with confidence. Happy communicating!