i.e. & e.g.

Was bedeuten diese Kürzel überhaupt und wie gehe ich mit denen um?

The abbreviation ‚i.e.‚ means “that is” or “in other words” and comes from Latin: „id est“ whereas ‚e.g.‚ means “for example”, also from the Latin „exempli gratia“. These abbreviations are always preceded by a punctuation mark, most commonly a comma or perhaps also a bracket, as in the following examples:

  • I’m interested in art history and read widely about a variety of artistic movements, e.g.[,] Neoclassicism, Romanticism, the Düsseldorf School and De Stijl. (‚e.g.‘ zu Deutsch: z.B.)
  • The artistic movement De Stijl, also known as neoplasticism, advocated pure abstraction and universality by means of a reduction to the essentials of form and color, simplifying visual compositions to the horizontal and the vertical and limiting the color palette to black, white and the primary colors (i.e.[,] red, yellow and blue). (‚i.e.‘ zu Deutsch: i.e. oder „sprich“)

The question is whether a comma should also follow the abbreviation. The answer depends on whether you are following the American style or the British style. Either style is a fine choice. Just make an effort to use one style consistently throughout your writing.

Nearly all American style guides recommend that both “i.e.” and “e.g.” be followed by a comma (this is also the case were you to write these abbreviations out as “that is” and “for example”).

  • They sell a variety of auto parts, e.g., brake pads, mufflers and gearboxes.

In British English, however, “i.e.” and “e.g.” are not followed by a comma.

  • They well a variety of auto parts, e.g. brake pads, mufflers and gearboxes.

To me, the latter just looks naked. But… vive la differénce!

Veröffentlicht von jesselkopp

Amerikanischer Simultandolmetscher, Englischtrainer, Übersetzer und Lektor in Düsseldorf, Neuss und Umgebung. Ich unterstütze international ausgerichtete Firmen, Selbstständige und auch Privatpersonen dabei, Ihre Stimme in der Weltsprache zu finden.