ie versus eg

[Azimov]

I've noticed recently, when citing personal experiences or giving examples in my replies here in AB, I've a tendency to preface my comments with "eg".
I since realised that perhaps in some cases "ie" might have been more appropriate.
My question, therefore, is how do I know which to use?

(I could probably google for the answer but that would make AB kinda superfluous wouldn't it?)

[shaneystar2]

IE.... Latin abbreviation for id est...that is
EG Latin abbreviation for exempli gratia ..for example.
So you could say ...Cakes make a nice dessert eg....cheesecake.
You use i.e. when you're restating an idea,to be more explicit or expanding upon it.

[Pleasehelp87]

e.g is instead of for example and ie is an abbreviation for 'that is to say'. I use to always get confused (not saying much for an english uni student)! My current favourite sentence with ie in is 'i'm revising, ie watching t.v'!

[Azimov]

Thank you, good answers, both!
ie, "I offer my thanks to you both"
eg, see: :http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases_and_Say ings/Question229513.html

[Azimov]

Did I get it or am I just demonstrating my stupidity to thousands?

[shaneystar2]

I don't know Azimov ......your thread appears to have vanished ie ,it has disappeared !

[Azimov]

The link I offered was a link back to this thread!
I guess I was being a bit too clever for my own good lol

Here's the actual link (minus the <p> that killed it!)

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question229513.html

[Azimov]

Ohhh, I see what you did there Shaney!!
Very good lol

[jno]

Very roughly:
eg: you're mentioning one of several possibilities.
ie: you're mentioning the only one.