Namely, specifically, that is to say, more exactly, more specifically and i.e. are expressions you can use to give further details about something you've just said

You can use these expressions to be more exact, or give further details, about something you have just said:

• namely
• specifically
• that is
• that is to say
• more exactly
• more precisely
• more specifically
• which means
• i.e.

Examples

Note how we normally put a comma after namely and related words to clarify or introduce a series of terms:

• John succeeded in life; namely, he got wealthy.
• I'll see you tomorrow, that is, I will if my parents let me go.
• I need something really new, specifically, a state-of-the-art design to attract more customers.
• You can learn more English words by reading books. That is to say, you don't need to go to America to expand your vocabulary.
• The economic crisis is getting worse. More precisely, the situation of the service sector is deteriorating at a rapid rate.
• He really knows how to attract women, which means he is never alone.

Meaning of i.e.

i.e. is the abbreviation for the Latin sentence "id est", meaning "that is". You can use i.e. interchangeably with that is, that is to say, namely, etc.

• Only one type of car, i.e., electric vehicles, can help us solve the urban air contamination.
• The most risky employees, i.e., young guys with no experience, tend to make the worst mistakes.

The abbreviation "i.e." must be enclosed between commas in a sentence.

Alternatives

Related to namely and specifically, you can use a range of expressions to repeat something with other words:

• in other words
• to rephrase it
• put it another way