Academic writing is full of Latin phrases and abbreviations that nobody explains. These are the ones you’ll actually run into, what they mean, and how to use them without getting them wrong.
Latin Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Latin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| e.g. | exempli gratia | for example | Bring a snack, e.g., fruit or crackers. |
| i.e. | id est | that is | The capital, i.e., Paris, was crowded. |
| et al. | et alii | and others | Smith et al. found a similar result. |
| etc. | et cetera | and so on | pens, paper, folders, etc. |
| cf. | confer | compare | cf. the results in Table 2 |
| viz. | videlicet | namely | two options, viz., stay or leave |
| ibid. | ibidem | in the same place | the same source as the last note |
| N.B. | nota bene | note well | N.B. The exam starts at 8 a.m. |
| vs. | versus | against | cats vs. dogs |
i.e. vs. e.g.
These two are the ones people mix up most.
- e.g. gives one or more examples; the list is not complete. Bring warm clothes, e.g., a coat and gloves.
- i.e. restates or narrows what you just said; it means the same thing in other words. Bring warm clothes, i.e., anything rated for below freezing.
A quick way to remember: e.g. is “example given,” and i.e. is “in essence.” In American English, put a comma after both.
Latin Phrases
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ad hoc | for this purpose only | an ad hoc committee |
| bona fide | genuine, in good faith | a bona fide expert |
| circa (c.) | approximately (with dates) | built c. 1750 |
| de facto | in practice, if not officially | the de facto leader |
| per se | by itself, in itself | Money isn’t the problem per se. |
| quid pro quo | something in exchange for something | a quid pro quo deal |
| status quo | the way things are now | challenge the status quo |
| vice versa | the other way around | She helps him and vice versa. |
| in situ | in its original place | fossils studied in situ |
| sic | thus (the error is in the original) | “their [sic] report” |
Abbreviations in Citations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| p. / pp. | page / pages |
| ch. | chapter |
| ed. / eds. | editor / editors, or edition |
| trans. | translated by |
| vol. | volume |
| n.d. | no date given |
| et al. | and others (authors) |
Usage Tips
- Put [sic] in square brackets right after the error you’re quoting, so readers know the mistake isn’t yours.
- Don’t end a list with etc. after e.g.; the “e.g.” already says the list isn’t complete.
- In most style guides, Latin abbreviations like e.g. and i.e. belong in parentheses and citations, while the full English (“for example,” “that is”) reads better in running text.
For how these fit into a full citation, see the Citation Style Quick Guide (MLA & APA).