E.g. vs. i.e. (in Off-topic)

What are the exact differences in using one over the other?

How should I be able to distinctly tell when to use i.e. and e.g. in writing, and when one is more appropriate?

I've always used i.e. in place of 'such as,' or to explain something. While e.g. replaced 'for example'.

EG = Example Given, I.E = In Effect.

I think.

My memory may just suck.

e.g. is latin for exempli gratia, meaning 'for example' i.e. is latin for id est, meaning 'that is' actual use is more of a 'to say, in other words...'

e.g. = exempli gratia, for the sake of example

i.e. = id est, that is

yeah, what th00p said!

What exactly did Bariagan say? nothing at all? or just nothing of importance?

Cut from wikipedia...

Exempli gratia (e.g.) and id est (i.e.) are commonly confused and misused in colloquial English. The former, exempli gratia, means "for example", and is used before giving examples of something ("I have lots of favorite colors, e.g., blue, green, and hot pink"). The latter, id est, means "that is", and is used before clarifying the meaning of something, when elaborating, specifying, or explaining rather than when giving examples ("I have lots of favorite colors, i.e., I can't decide on just one"). Both "e.g." and "i.e." should generally be followed by a comma, just as "for example" and "that is" would be.

Thought so, my memory just sucks. ^_^

Wikipedia is sometimes an unreliable source of information, i.e., it can be edited by anyone, thus information can be incorrect, e.g., according to wikipedia I was born in Tibet and grew up in Antarctica, raised by penguin, which in fact, is absolutely incorrect, since last time i checked Wikipedia, I was in fact raised by wild Echidnas!

no I tried to say what thoop said, using the no spell check flags. For some reason it failed to show up.

Well Bariagan, I have to congratulate you: your above post didn't have any spelling errors! :)

because you had no text in the box...