i.e.

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Latin i. e., a Latinistic abbreviation of id est (that is).

Pronunciation

[edit]

Adverb

[edit]

i.e.

  1. (initialism) That is, namely, in other words, that is to say.
    While the final episode was made, the show itself was immediately cancelled after the penultimate episode i.e. the final episode never aired.
    • 1658, Thomas Hall, “[Chap. 3.] Verse 2. For men shall be lovers of themselves, Covetous, Boasters, Proud, Blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, unthankfull, unholy, &c.”, in A Practical and Polemical Commentary: Or, Exposition upon the Third and Fourth Chapters of the Latter Epistle of Saint Paul to Timothy. [], London: Printed by E. Tyler, for John Starkey, [], →OCLC, page [95]:
      [N]o drunkard (i.e.) no Habituall, Impenitent drunkard, ſhall come into Gods Kingdome.

Usage notes

[edit]
  • Often confused with e.g.: In correct use, i.e. is used to explain, clarify or rephrase a statement, whereas e.g. is used to list examples.
    The correct use of i.e. differs from that of viz. in that what follows i.e. merely restates in other words what has already been said, whereas what follows viz. expands upon what has already been said; and it differs from the correct use of e.g. in that completeness or near-completeness is suggested by i.e., whereas e.g. introduces a not complete and often only small selection of examples.
  • American English prefers a comma after i.e., but British English usually does not use a comma there and often does not use dots either.
  • Opinion is mixed about whether the abbreviation should be italicized, or whether there should be a separating non-breaking space as in i. e., or whether this matters at all. However, the AMA manual of style recommends to forgo italic on terms long since naturalized into English and not to separate abbreviations (see "Abbreviation" on Wikipedia).

Synonyms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]

Anagrams

[edit]

Interlingua

[edit]

Adverb

[edit]

i.e.

  1. Abbreviation of isto es.

Usage notes

[edit]
  • Equivalent in meaning to English i.e..

Italian

[edit]

Adverb

[edit]

i.e.

  1. (archaic) Abbreviation of isto es., synonym of cioè and ossia

Usage notes

[edit]

Latin

[edit]

Phrase

[edit]

i.e.

  1. Alternative form of i. e.

Synonyms

[edit]