For Example Abbreviation (e.g.) | Usage & Examples

For example is a common phrase used to indicate an example or illustration to support a statement. In writing, it is often abbreviated as e.g. and used to introduce an example or series of examples.

This Latin abbreviation stands for “exempli gratia,” which translates to “for the sake of example.” The abbreviation should be written with lowercase letters, with a period after each letter, and followed by a comma.

E.g. vs. i.e.

“E.g.” and “i.e.” are sometimes confused, but they have different meanings and shouldn’t be used interchangeably:

• E.g. stands for “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example,” and is used to provide specific examples that fall under a more general category.
• I.e. stands for “id est,” meaning “that is,” and is used to clarify or rephrase a statement to make it more precise or specific.

Other interesting language articles

If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Check for common mistakes

Use the best grammar checker available to check for common mistakes in your text.

Fix mistakes for free

Frequently asked questions

What is the latin abbreviation for “for example”?

The latin abbreviation for “for example” is e.g., which stands for “exempli gratia.” This translates to “for the sake of example.”

It is used to introduce an example or a list of examples, as in the following sentence: “Many interesting species of animals (e.g., koalas, emus, and kangaroos) are native to Australia.”

Is “ex” the abbreviation for “for example”?

The correct abbreviation for “for example” is e.g., not “ex.” “Ex” is sometimes used in informal language, but it’s best to avoid it, since this abbreviation can be confused with other uses of “ex,” such as its use to mean “former” in a term like “ex-boyfriend.”