Random Pet Peeve of the Day

[alixtii]

Mixing up "i.e." (id est, "that is," "which is to say") and "e.g." (example gratis, "for example"). Don't do it.

WRONG: I want to go somewhere, i.e. the mall.

RIGHT: I want to go somewhere, e.g. the mall. ("The mall" is an example of somewhere I could go.)

RIGHT: I want to go the place where they have many stores connected by an indoor promenade, i.e. the mall. ("The mall" restates "the place where they have many stores connected by an indoor promenade.")

Comments

[zvi]

Simple mnemonic

ie = in essence
eg = example given

[bookishwench.livejournal.com]

Almost as bad as ect. for etc.

[kurosau.livejournal.com]

Your wrong example works if the person's preference to go to the mall is a specification of their desire to go somewhere.

[alixtii.livejournal.com]

I know, I know. Don't tell anyone.

[kurosau.livejournal.com]

Ah, this is one of those 'it spreads' things, isn't it?

[alixtii.livejournal.com]

Probably not, since I don't know what you mean.

It's simply that I couldn't think of an example of "i.e." used for "e.g." (which is generally the direction the mistake travels) which both a) couldn't, given enough mental twisting, be considered potentially correct, and b) reflect the way people tend to use the abbreviation (especially when they're using it wrong). The example given is one which I would very much doubt would ever be used to convey any meaning it could possibly be said to legitimately represent given the standard definition of "i.e."

[paradox-dragon.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I do this. *shame*