There are two abbreviations that often get confused: i.e. and e.g. Some folks use them interchangeably; unfortunately, that’s wrong.

I.e. is short for the Latin phrase id est, which means it is. It indicates that an explanation, or restatement, or related idea, is about to be presented. For instance:

She didn’t have a second date with Jim, i.e., she found him pretty boring.

Or….

We decided not to go out to dinner with them, i.e., we ended up eating at home after all.

E.g., on the other hand, is an abbreviation of a Latin phrase, exempli gratia, which means for example.

For instance:

I love old Hollywood classic, e.g., Casablanca and Gone with the Wind.

Or

Liz Taylor had a lot of husbands, e.g., Richard Burton, Eddy Fisher, Michael Wilding and Nicky Hilton, among others.

One crude but easy way to differentiate the two is that e.g., if put together as letters instead of abbreviations, sounds something like the beginning of the word example. Also, some have suggested that since i.e. can mean in other words, you just have to remember that phrase when you see the letter i in i.e.

So… I wish you all a Merry Christmas, i.e., may you have a blessed holiday season.

And…I hope that you receive all you ask for this year, e.g., clothing, jewelry, gift cards, or precious time with family and friends.