E.g. is an abbreviation that means “for example.” It comes from the Latin phrase exempli gratia, which literally means “for the sake of an example.” When you write e.g. in a sentence, you're introducing one or more examples to illustrate what you mean.

You might write: “I enjoy outdoor activities, e.g., hiking, swimming, and camping.” This tells the reader that hiking, swimming, and camping are just a few examples of outdoor activities you like, not a complete list of every single one.

Notice that e.g. is different from i.e., which means “that is” or “in other words.” When you use i.e., you're clarifying or restating something. When you use e.g., you're giving examples. If you write “I have one sibling, i.e., my sister,” you're explaining exactly who that sibling is. But if you write “I have several pets, e.g., dogs and cats,” you're listing some examples without saying that's all you have.

The abbreviation is usually followed by a comma and typically appears in more formal writing. In casual conversation, people usually just say “for example” or “like” instead.