Tagged Questions
10
votes
4answers
413 views
What is the meaning and usage of the abbreviation “v. a.”?
At the time of this writing there is no explanation on wiktionary, and searching the web does not yield an answer, only more instances of its use:
A random entry at the Etymological Dictionary of ...
-2
votes
1answer
97 views
Is “… et al. data.” proper grammar? [closed]
Would it be proper grammar to use the Latin phrase in the following way?
The items inserted came from departments, employees et al. data.
1
vote
2answers
198 views
Exempli Gratia help [closed]
Is there a plural for e.g., the abbreviation of exempli gratia? Or is it regular to use it before multiple examples? I know that some abbreviations double up in their letters in the plural, but I ...
4
votes
1answer
613 views
When listing species of plants, what does “var.” mean?
Sometimes within the Latin names of plants, I will find the word "var.", which I assume is an abbreviation, e.g. Ursinia chrysanthemoides var. geyeri.
What is the meaning of this?
Is it sometimes ...
-2
votes
3answers
485 views
Abbreviation for “or the rest” (or “or others”)?
The Latin et cetera, abbreviated etc., is often used at the end of an incomplete, inclusive list of items when it is clear that there are more items than can be enumerated conveniently and there is no ...
3
votes
5answers
707 views
Using “exempli gratia” in essays
Can I use "exempli gratia" (short for e.g.) in place of "for example?" If so, do I need to add any words to it to completely replace the phrase "for example?"
6
votes
3answers
666 views
As “postscript” is one word, why do some abbreviate it as “p.s.”?
'Postscript' is a single word in modern English, and Dictionary.com states that it's even based on a single Latin word, postscrīptum. So, why do some abbreviate it to p.s. (or P.S.), as on this ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
Can I start a sentence with “i.e.”?
While writing a rhetorical question I ran into a case where it seemed natural to start a sentence with "I.e":
How do we handle the case when the list is empty? I.e., if the filter matched no ...
18
votes
3answers
5k views
When a sentence starts with “e.g.”, should the e be capitalized?
When a sentence starts with e.g., should the e be capitalized?
Neverminding that it might be better to start with "For example," ... Thinking of SE posts and comments, should the starting e be ...
9
votes
4answers
26k views
What does 'Ibid' mean in reference/footnotes?
Every so often I read a book with footnotes, and I've seen them use Ibid. followed by page numbers - but I have no idea what this term means.
At first I thought it was a reference to a classical ...
17
votes
5answers
38k views
Should I write “PhD” or “Ph.D.”?
Question pretty self-explanatory. Should the abbreviation of the Latin term philosophiae doctor be written as PhD (no periods) or Ph.D. (with periods)?
2
votes
4answers
471 views
How is “e.g.” pluralized?
How is "e.g." pluralized? Usually I just see "e.g." used regardless of the number of examples given, but I don't know if that's correct or merely a product of widespread ignorance. More rarely, I've ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What's the difference between “e.g.” and “ex.”?
I know they both roughly mean "example", but which one should I use, and when?
