Punctuation
Q. Is it appropriate to add a semicolon before i.e. or e.g. ? For example, is it correct to say “by focusing on prevention; i.e., identifying and intervening”?
A. Use a comma unless the material after the abbreviation starts a new independent clause.
She carried only the essentials, i.e., business cards, lipstick, pepper spray.
She saw to the last two details; i.e., flowers were waiting and the driver kept mum.
Please note that Chicago doesn’t use i.e. or e.g. in running text. We use that is or a similar phrase. In many sentences (such as mine), you don’t really need the abbreviation; a colon or dash would be better.
