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