This is a short, but important, PSA-style blog entry. You are probably using abbreviations like i.e., e.g., and etc. incorrectly. It isn’t a fatal flaw, but it is really distracting to those of us who spend a lot of time reading and writing. So here is a quick, simple guide on the use of these abbreviations.
i.e. should be read as “that is”. For example: I went on a long journey (i.e. a trip across the country) before I started college. This is identical to writing: I went on a long journey- that is, a trip across the country- before I started college.
e.g. should be read as “for example”. For example: I went on many adventures (e.g. helping a village care for its goats in Nepal) during my year before college. This is identical to writing: I went on many adventures, for example, helping a village care for its goats in Nepal, during my year before college.
etc. should be read as “and so forth”. For example: During my year before college, I walked, hiked, biked, flew, etc. around the world. This is identical to writing: During my year before college, I walked, hiked, biked, flew, and so forth around the world.
It is rare that a sentence contains all three of these abbreviations, so in general I would suggest you avoid using more than one. After you use one, go back and read it with the literal definitions I have given above and see if they make sense. These three are often confused, and it reflects a certain lack of attention to detail if you commit this error.