I.e. is short for the Latin id est and means “that is”. It clarifies or explains what has just been said rather than giving an example: The course lasts one term, i.e. twelve weeks. Out loud, people usually say that is or read out the letters: “eye-ee”. In an IELTS essay, write that is or in other words instead of the abbreviation.
How would you use i.e.?
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noun/clause, i.e. + clarification; (i.e. + clarification); i.e. = that is / in other words; BrE: ie
- The shop is open on weekdays only, i.e. Monday to Friday.
- He's vegan, i.e. he doesn't eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy.
- The course is for complete beginners, i.e. people who have never studied Spanish before.
What changed
First versionThe museum will be closed next Monday, e.g. 13 October.
RevisionThe museum will be closed next Monday, i.e. 13 October.
Next Monday is one particular day, while e.g. introduces one example out of several possible ones. It sounded as if the museum were closed on one of several Mondays, for example 13 October. Here the date pins the day down rather than giving an example, so e.g. was replaced with i.e.
E.g. means “for example”: one or two options are named out of many. Bring some photo ID, e.g. your passport: a passport is just one suitable document, and a driving licence would do too. Bring some photo ID, i.e. your passport: only a passport will do. In British texts, i.e. is often written without full stops: ie.
Your turn
Please submit the essay by the end of the week, ___ Friday at 5 p.m.
Show the answer
i.e. — The end of the week is narrowed down to an exact deadline: Friday, 5 p.m. A clarification is introduced with i.e. With e.g., Friday would become one of several possible options, but a deadline has no options.
Write a message to a colleague about a meeting: give the time in general terms, then use i.e. to state the exact day and time.
Let's meet at the start of next week, i.e. Monday at 10 a.m. in the small meeting room.
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