> >It's one of those things that I was taught a long time ago as proper usage.
>
> but i.e. means 'that is'.
>
> I have a green car, i.e. an Emerald Mica Miata.
>
> Is it really proper to say:
>
> I have a green car, that is, an Emerald Mica Miata.
> ???
>
> Sure seems like a comma is misplaced there. If this really is the proper
I'll side with Tom on the use of commas with "i.e."
I have a Mack, that is, a big truck for hauling.
I have a D6 that is a bitch to get started on cold mornings.
I use a Mac; that is it on the desk by the window.
Only the first of those sentences would use "i.e." instead of "that is,"
that is [to say], the subject and verb for "a big truck" is "I have,"
not "that is." (That isn't even $0.02.)
__Henry
