“See eg cite� is a shorthand often used in legal and academic writing to point a reader to an example source that supports a statement, without implying that the cited source is the only authority on the matter. This guide explains how to use “see eg� correctly, where to place it in a citation, and how to format it in common styles like Bluebook and APA. By the end, you’ll know exactly when and how to deploy this citation signal to make your writing more precise and credible.
Ingredients
- 1 legal or academic source (e.g., a court case, statute, or journal article)
- 1 sentence in your text that needs supporting authority
- 1 citation manual (Bluebook, APA, or MLA) for formatting rules
- Optional: 1 secondary source (e.g., a treatise or law review article) for background
Instructions
- Identify the proposition you want to support. “See eg� is used when you are citing an example that illustrates a general rule or proposition, but you are not claiming the cited source is the only authority. For instance, if you write “Many courts have held that a contract requires consideration,� you might follow with “see, e.g., Hamer v. Sidway, 27 N.E. 256 (N.Y. 1891).�
- Determine the correct citation signal. In Bluebook style, “see� is used when the cited authority clearly supports the proposition, and “e.g.� is added when you are giving an example. The comma after “see� is optional but common: “see, e.g.,� or “see e.g.,�. In APA style, you would write “(e.g., Smith, 2020)� directly in the text, without the word “see� unless you are explicitly directing the reader to the source.
- Place the signal correctly. In legal writing, the signal goes before the citation, either in a citation sentence (starting with a capital letter) or a citation clause (within the sentence, set off by commas). For example: “Several jurisdictions require a writing for real estate contracts. See, e.g., Statute of Frauds, 29 Car. II c. 3 (1677).� In academic prose, you can also use “see, e.g.,� in parentheses: “(see, e.g., Smith, 2020).�
- Format the citation according to your style guide. For Bluebook, use the standard case citation format: case name, volume, reporter, page, court, year. For APA, use author-date: (Smith, 2020). For MLA, use author-page: (Smith 23). The signal “see eg� is not used in MLA; instead, you would simply cite the source.
- Check that the source actually provides an example of the proposition. “See eg� is only appropriate if the cited source is one of several possible examples. If the source is the only authority, use “see� alone. If the source contradicts your proposition, use “but see� or “cf.� instead.
- Revise for clarity and accuracy. Make sure the citation is placed immediately after the sentence or clause it supports, and that the reader can easily find the source. If you are using a signal like “see eg� in a footnote, ensure the footnote number corresponds to the correct text.
Tips
- Substitution: If you can’t find a good example, you can use “see generally� to refer to a broader discussion, or “accord� to indicate that another source agrees with the cited one.
- Common mistake: Do not use “see eg� when you are citing a source that directly contradicts your point. That would be “but see� or “contra�. Also, do not overuse “see eg� – it is meant for examples, not for every citation.
- Storage: Keep a list of your sources and the signals you used, so you can easily adjust if your argument changes. This is like storing your ingredients – you need them all before you start cooking.
- Formatting: In Bluebook, “e.g.� is always italicized and followed by a comma. In APA, it is not italicized and is followed by a comma. Always check the latest edition of your style guide.
Serving Suggestions
Use “see eg� citations in legal briefs, academic papers, and even blog posts when you want to show that your point is supported by at least one example, without implying it is the only one. It is particularly useful in persuasive writing, where you want to show that your position is not an outlier.
Variations
There are several related citation signals you can use depending on the strength of support:
- See: The cited authority directly supports the proposition.
- See also: The cited authority provides additional support, often after a “see� citation.
- Cf.: The cited authority is analogous, but not directly on point.
- But see: The cited authority contradicts the proposition.
- E.g. alone: Used in APA and MLA to introduce examples, without the word “see�.
Storage and Reheating
Citations are not perishable, but your argument may change over time. Store your research notes in a citation manager (like Zotero or EndNote) so you can easily update signals if your thesis shifts. If you are reusing a citation in a different context, always re-check that the signal still matches the proposition. There is no “reheating� needed – just review before submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it “see e.g.� or “see, e.g.,�?
A: In Bluebook style, both are acceptable, but the most common form is “see, e.g.,� with commas after “see� and after “e.g.� In APA, you would write “(e.g., Smith, 2020)� without the word “see� unless you are explicitly directing the reader to the source. Always follow the style guide your professor or publisher requires.
Q: Can I use “see eg� in APA style?
A: APA does not use “see eg� as a formal signal. Instead, you use “e.g.,� in parentheses to introduce examples. For example: “Many studies have found a link (e.g., Smith, 2020; Jones, 2019).� If you want to direct the reader to a specific source, you can write “(see Smith, 2020, for an example).�
Q: What is the difference between “see� and “see eg�?
A: “See� indicates that the cited source directly supports your proposition. “See eg� indicates that the source is one example among many. Use “see� when the source is the definitive authority; use “see eg� when you are giving an illustrative example.
Q: How do I cite multiple sources with “see eg�?
A: In Bluebook, you can list multiple sources after “see, e.g.,� separated by semicolons. For example: “See, e.g., Hamer v. Sidway, 27 N.E. 256 (N.Y. 1891); Allegheny College v. National Chautauqua County Bank, 159 N.E. 173 (N.Y. 1927).� In APA, you would list multiple examples in parentheses, separated by semicolons: “(e.g., Smith, 2020; Jones, 2019).�
Q: Can I use “see eg� in a footnote?
A: Yes, “see eg� is commonly used in footnotes in legal writing. Place the signal at the beginning of the footnote, followed by the citation. For example: “See, e.g., Hamer v. Sidway, 27 N.E. 256 (N.Y. 1891).� Make sure the footnote number in the text corresponds to the correct sentence.
Q: What if I can’t find a good example to cite?
A: If you cannot find an example, you may need to reconsider whether your proposition is accurate. You can also use “see generally� to refer to a broader discussion that supports your point, or you can cite a secondary source like a law review article that summarizes the cases.
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