What does ie stand for? Written i.e., it stands for the Latin phrase id est, which means "that is." Writers use it to restate or narrow down what they just said, so the reader knows exactly which thing they mean.
So what does i.e. mean in practice? Think of it as a signal for "in other words." "Bring a photo ID, i.e., a driver's license or passport" tells you the full list of what counts. That sets it apart from e.g., which only gives a few examples.
Quick facts
Stands for
Id est (Latin)Plain meaning
That is, in other wordsType
Latin abbreviationHow to say it
"I E" or "that is"US style
Two periods, comma after: i.e.,Not to be confused with
e.g., for example
What does ie stand for in writing?
The two letters come from two short Latin words.
| Letter | Latin | English |
|---|---|---|
| i. | id | it, that |
| e. | est | is |
Together they mean "that is," so ie stands for "that is" whether or not the periods are typed. People who search "what does i.e stand for" often drop the last period, but the full form is the same. Scholars wrote in Latin for centuries, and many of their short forms stayed in English. Because each letter stands for a separate word, each one gets its own period in American English. To learn how this kind of short form differs from an acronym, see acronym vs abbreviation.
How to use i.e. in a sentence
Use i.e. when what follows is the same idea said more clearly, or the complete list. Here are a few of our own sentences.
- "The store is closed on federal holidays, i.e., the days the post office is closed."
- "Use the side entrance, i.e., the door by the parking lot."
- "He ordered the usual, i.e., black coffee and a bagel."
- "Return the form by the deadline, i.e., Friday at noon."
In a work email: "Please send me the final draft, i.e., the version with legal's edits." The writer is not giving one example of a draft. They are pointing to the exact file they want.
i.e. vs e.g.: the difference
These two are mixed up more than almost any other pair of short forms.
| i.e. | e.g. | |
|---|---|---|
| Latin | id est | exempli gratia |
| Means | that is | for example |
| What follows | The exact thing or full list | One or more samples from a longer list |
| Sample | "My sister, i.e., Ana" | "Citrus fruit, e.g., lemons" |
A simple memory trick: i.e. starts like "in essence," and e.g. starts like "example given." Our page on the abbreviation for example covers e.g. in more detail, and etc. is the one that means "and so on."
Commas, periods and capital letters
- Periods: write i.e. with a period after each letter. Writing ie with no periods is common in quick notes and in British writing, but US style guides keep the periods.
- Commas: in American English, put a comma before i.e. and another right after it: "one city, i.e., Boston."
- Parentheses: i.e. often sits inside them: "the main office (i.e., the one in Dayton)."
- Lowercase: keep it lowercase unless it starts a sentence, which is best avoided.
- Italics: not needed. It is a normal part of English now.
In formal writing, some editors prefer the plain words "that is" over i.e. Both are correct.
IE in capital letters
When the same letters appear in capitals, they usually mean something else.
- IE is the two-letter country code for Ireland, used on forms and in its internet domain. See Ireland abbreviation.
- IE was the short name of an older web browser, which still turns up in old help pages.
- In colleges and job titles, IE can mean industrial engineering.
If you see the lowercase form with periods in a sentence, it is the Latin "that is." For more everyday letters, browse our famous acronyms list.
Questions people ask
What does ie mean in a sentence?
It means "that is" or "in other words." It comes from the Latin id est and introduces a clearer restatement of what came before.
What does i.e. stand for in Latin?
In Latin, i.e. stands for id est. Id means "it" or "that," and est means "is."
How do you pronounce i.e.?
Most people say the letters, "I E." When reading aloud, you can also just say "that is."
Do you put a comma after i.e.?
In American English, yes. Put a comma before it and after it, as in "the youngest child, i.e., Sam."
Is i.e. considered an acronym?
No. It shortens two Latin words, and since you never sound it out like a word, the right label is abbreviation.
When should I use e.g. instead of i.e.?
Use e.g. when you give examples and there are others you did not list. Use i.e. when you name the exact thing or the whole list.