Parentheses required for i.e.

[mary-annef]

Hi everyone. I received the criticism below in a review. I've not come across the rule and Grammarly didn't pick it up. Is it an American rule? And can anyone explain the reasoning behind it?

1. the way Newbery Senior i.e., Jorge's father (any phrase with i.e., like "i.e., Jorge's father" should be in parentheses.)

[inaramid]

Grammarly doesn't really pick up all grammatical errors, so be wary. That said, I'm seeing different opinions from online sources. These are examples from Grammar Girl and the Grammarly blog:

Our pet, Squiggly (i.e., the snail we brought home after the lab experiments were finished), loves to curl up on his little patch of grass. --https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/educa ... -eg?page=2

After work, I’ll walk over to that new sports arena, i.e., Thunderdome. --https://www.grammarly.com/blog/know-you ... -e-vs-e-g/

I think your phrase should be written as:
1) the way Newbery Senior (i.e., Jorge's father) >> as the editor suggested
2) the way Newbery Senior, i.e., Jorge's father >> Note the comma placed before "i.e."

While number two also seems acceptable, I'd go with number one.

[mary-annef]

Thanks @inaramid - that helps a lot!

[Juliet+1]

You do NOT need parentheses with "i.e.". You can if you wish, but it's not required. But you shouldn't put a comma directly after it. This is simply an abbreviation for the Latin "id est," which means "that is." If you were writing "that is" you would not put a comma directly after it. Same applies to "id est" or "i.e."

[inaramid]

The comma after "i.e." seems to be a matter of preference. I like how Grammar Girl (see link in my previous post) compiled the recommendations of major style guides:

• Chicago Manual of Style - A comma is usually used after i.e. and e.g.

• Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation - Commas are preferable/optional after the abbreviations.

• The Columbia Guide to Standard American English - [Editors] require a comma after the second period [in these abbreviations].

• The Guide to Grammar and Writing - The comma [following i.e. and e.g.] makes good sense.

• Lynch Guide to Grammar - Both abbreviations should be followed by a comma.

• Fowler's Modern English Usage - Commas do not usually follow i.e. (No comment on e.g.)

It's funny how most didn't really say "YES" or "NO."

To be safe, I'd say use a comma.

*EDIT: I just noticed that APA was not mentioned above. I saw here (https://blog.apastyle.org/files/apa-lat ... able-2.pdf) that a comma is REQUIRED for APA:

For i.e. and e.g. - Always put a comma after.

[mary-annef]

You do NOT need parentheses with "i.e.". You can if you wish, but it's not required. But you shouldn't put a comma directly after it. This is simply an abbreviation for the Latin "id est," which means "that is." If you were writing "that is" you would not put a comma directly after it. Same applies to "id est" or "i.e."

Thanks @Juliet+1 my instinct was to put a comma because in speaking I would pause slightly after "that is". But looking at the next reply it really does seem to be a matter of preference all round.

[mary-annef]

The comma after "i.e." seems to be a matter of preference. I like how Grammar Girl (see link in my previous post) compiled the recommendations of major style guides:

• Chicago Manual of Style - A comma is usually used after i.e. and e.g.

• Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation - Commas are preferable/optional after the abbreviations.

• The Columbia Guide to Standard American English - [Editors] require a comma after the second period [in these abbreviations].

• The Guide to Grammar and Writing - The comma [following i.e. and e.g.] makes good sense.

• Lynch Guide to Grammar - Both abbreviations should be followed by a comma.

• Fowler's Modern English Usage - Commas do not usually follow i.e. (No comment on e.g.)

It's funny how most didn't really say "YES" or "NO."

To be safe, I'd say use a comma.

*EDIT: I just noticed that APA was not mentioned above. I saw here (https://blog.apastyle.org/files/apa-lat ... able-2.pdf) that a comma is REQUIRED for APA:

For i.e. and e.g. - Always put a comma after.

@inaramid thank you so much - this is a fabulous list of resources. I will make a note of them for future reference. Much appreciated.