How to use the abbreviation "i.e." ("that is")

Use "i.e." properly in your writing!

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Ever wonder what "i.e." means and how it should be used in a sentence? Now you can bring your writing up a notch by using "i.e." ("in other words" or "that is") properly.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Basically, "i.e." is an abbreviation for the Latin words, "id est", which roughly means, "that is". It is commonly used as a conjunction to join two clauses.

Step2

The correct punctuation for this conjunction is a period after each letter with a comma before and after; see the examples below.

Step3

Example 1: When we set sail, the sea was very choppy, i.e., there were lots of waves.

Example 2: The boy was as thin as a rail, i.e., he was really skinny.

Step4

Now that you know how to use "i.e." properly, use it in your memos and emails at work to impress your boss and co-workers!

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Clipart from freeclipartnow.com.

Comments

ursaminor said

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on 4/25/2008 thanks for a clearly written, easy to understand article! You can also use "i.e." to submit an explanation or translation as an addendum to a clause, sort of like an in-line footnote.

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