Using “i.e.” to mean “for example” or “in example” I always put salad dressing on my pizza, i.e., ranch, thousand island, honey mustard. Let’s start with an activity to break the ice, i.e., a name game. There are many types of trees in the park by my house (i.e., cedar, willows, oak, maple). She wants to name her cat something that has to do with literature or music (i.e., Blue, Dinah, Lucy, or Frodo). Using “i.e.” without commas on either side (the usage in these examples is also incorrect) I’ve had many jobs in which I get to talk to people all day i.e. serving, customer service, and promoter. I’m a great chef when it comes to vegetarian dishes, i.e. pastas, rice, and casseroles. My Mother really loved country music i.e., Parton and Cash. Using “i.e.” without periods or in call caps (the usage in these examples is correct) The Neuromancer is one of my favorite books, ie, I like sci-fi. He surprised me with my favorite flowers, IE, sunflowers. Starting a sentence with “i.e.” ✗ I.e., I don’t have to go if I don’t want to. ✓ That is, I don’t have to go if I don’t want to. ✗ I.e., she’s not a very good chef. ✓ In essence, she’s not a very good chef.