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Tim Tucker's Guide to Improving Your Writing and Grammar
I - M
Browse all topics or choose a letter: A - D | E - H | I - M | N - S | T - Z
i.e. vs. e.g.
If you write much at all, you probably use i.e. and e.g. regularly. However, it's important to know what they mean and how to use them correctly.
First, let's tackle i.e. It is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est, which simply means that is. An easier way to remember this is to substitute in other words for i.e. Do not use i.e. for lists.
Example: The greatest challenge of my life, i.e., being a father, is also my greatest joy.
Please note that i.e. is always followed by a comma. So I don't give you the wrong idea, do not italicize i.e. in your sentences. I'm only doing that here to emphasize to you how I'm using it.
Then comes e.g. This is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia, which basically means for example. Use e.g. to introduce one or more examples of what you are talking about in your sentence.
Example: Some parts of being a father are not always pleasant, e.g., changing diapers, waking up in the middle of the night, and sleep deprivation.
You don't need to include etc. at the end of your list as the e.g. implies it already. It's a given that you are only listing some examples and that you could list more if you wanted to. Please note that e.g. also is always followed by a comma. Again I only italicize it here to emphasize to you how I'm using it.
It's vs its
This is easily one of the most common mistakes in written communication. If you pause to think about it, the correct usage becomes clear.
It's is a contraction of it is. For example, it's a piece of cake.
Its is possessive, meaning it shows that something belongs to whatever it is. For example, The car is missing its hubcap.
less vs. fewer
Officially and for the permanent record, it really is 12 Items or Fewer not 12 Items or Less. Getting this right really does matter, especially in your store.
In general, a good rule of thumb is that you should use fewer with most anything countable that isn't typically divided into smaller pieces: people, fingers, units of inventory, etc. While you can cut a loaf of bread in half and magicians can saw people in half, typically you think of a loaf of bread or a person as one 'item'.
Before you start saying fewer all the time, note this rule! You almost always use less for things that can be divided into smaller units. For example, any unit of time can always be divided into a smaller one. In that case, eight hours or less is correct.
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