I.e. in written English

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Guest

#21649 Fri, 06 Feb 04 02:37 PM

What is the correct way to use i.e. in a written sentence? We have had a fair amount of argument in the office around this issue.

I have an example:

Select the relevant icon, i.e., create, change or display.

OR

Select the relevant icon, i.e. create, change or display.

Should there be a comma after i.e. or not?

Guest

Commas

rommie

#21652 Fri, 06 Feb 04 03:35 PM

Regarding punctuation, the grammar books are in disagreement about that one. Superfluous commas are generally better than insufficient commas, however, so I'd err on the side of overpunctuating whenever in doubt.

Of course, you could replace "i.e" with "that is", and then the problem would go away.

Rommie

rommie

Joined on Mon, Jan 26 2004

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Commas, Grammar, Punctuation