IG stands for I guess: probably, apparently, fine, I suppose. People write it when they're not fully sure or agree without much enthusiasm: it's fine ig means “it's OK, I suppose”. The tone is calm, sometimes half-hearted, and it belongs to texting with friends.
Could you drop ig (I guess) into a text?
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ig + statement (ig we could try); statement + ig (it's fine ig); ig so = I guess so
- the film was ok ig, but the book was much better
- ig I'll take the earlier train, the late one is always packed
- A: pizza again tonight? B: ig so, nobody wants to cook
What changed
First versionFriend: Want to see the new superhero film tonight? Me: ig!! I've been waiting for it all year.
RevisionFriend: Want to see the new superhero film tonight? Me: yes!! I've been waiting for it all year.
Ig shows doubt or reluctant agreement. Next to I've been waiting for it all year, it clashes with the excitement, and your friend will read it as “fine, I'll come along”. For happy agreement, you need a plain yes.
Not every ig means I guess: on social media it's also Instagram, as in follow me on ig or check my ig. Position helps: after on and my, it's Instagram, and at the start or end of a sentence, it's I guess. Out loud, the full I guess sounds fine and works in IELTS Speaking: I guess it depends on the person. In an email to a colleague, I think or I suppose is better, and in an essay, it seems.
Your turn
My sister asked if her new haircut looked good. I wasn't impressed, so I replied: it's fine ___.
Show the answer
ig — Your sister asks, you're not impressed, and you answer half-heartedly, “it's fine, I suppose”: that's ig. Ikr agrees with someone's opinion, but your sister didn't give an opinion; she asked a question.
A friend suggests a plan for the evening that you're not keen on. Reply with ig: agree without enthusiasm and say what bothers you.
ig we can go bowling, but it's so expensive on Fridays
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