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Subject:Re: Correct usage "i.e." and "e.g." ? From:Mary McWilliams Johnson <mary -at- SUPERCONNECT -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 5 May 1998 19:19:12 -0500
I'm copying your complete message below so that you can see how it came
through in Eudora. I don't know what email program you use, but apparently
it was attempting to format symbols in some fancy way - a way that didn't
translate into ASCII text.
Anyway, about your topic: I really don't like either "i.e." or "e.g." These
seem really stuffy and old-fashioned. I much prefer to say things in a more
friendly, simple, easy-to-read way (even when talking to engineers).
My house is of Titanic proportions; I mean it's big!
or simply -
My house is of Titanic proportions.
(I doubt that you would use such a fancy metaphor in a technical
document anyway.)
Some fruits, such as coconuts, are difficult to harvest.
In technical text, I always prefer using "such as" or "for example."
Cordially,
------------------------------º><º------------------------------
Mary McWilliams Johnson
McJohnson Communications
Documentation Specialist
Web Site Design, Development and Graphics
www.superconnect.com
------------------------------º><º------------------------------
"One must learn by doing the thing; for though you think you know it,
you have no certainty until you try."
--Sophocles, c 496-406 B.C
------------------------------º><º------------------------------
At 09:27 AM 5/6/98 +1000, Justin Moss wrote:
>Hi,
>
>There seems to be an inconsistent usage of the Latin abbreviations, "i=2Ee=2E=
>"=20
>and "e=2Eg=2E"
>
>I am compiling a civil engineering guide and before doing so wish to develo=
>p=20
>a set of conventions which will include these abbreviations=2E My=20
>understanding for correct usage of these is given by the following examples=2E
>
> My house is of Titanic proportions, i=2Ee=2E, it's big=2E
> Some fruits are difficult to harvest, e=2Eg=2E, coconuts=2E
>
>A less formal use of these abbreviations might be to drop the trailing=20
>comma, that is, "i=2Ee=2E it's big !" and "e=2Eg=2E coconuts"
>
>Would you mind giving me your impression of the 'correct' usage of these=20
>abbreviations ?
>
>Regards
>Justin
