Also known as: v.g. · vg · for example · e.g.
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An illustrative Latin phrase meaning for example and used to introduce concrete illustrations in legal analysis or argument.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Victor Vargas is charged with common-law burglary after he pushed open a closed but unlocked door to enter a dwelling at night with intent to commit a felony. The prosecutor argues that the entry satisfies the breaking element verbi gratia by noting that even minimal force applied to a closed door qualifies under the traditional test.
Valerie Voss contracts to sell land to Vortex Energy but the title search reveals an unreleased lien. The buyer refuses to close and seeks rescission verbi gratia because a reasonably prudent purchaser would reject title subject to such an encumbrance under the marketable-title standard.
Vincent Valdez seeks enforcement of a contract that a court views as contrary to public welfare. The court refuses relief verbi gratia by citing judicial policies that protect certain societal interests from private bargains.
Voss Shipping sells goods under a writing that attempts to exclude implied warranties. The buyer challenges the exclusion verbi gratia because the language fails to mention merchantability conspicuously as required for an effective disclaimer.
Vanessa Vega litigates a dispute over an immovable located in another state. The forum court applies the whole law of the situs state verbi gratia so that the outcome matches what a court in the situs state would reach on the same facts.
A state judicial conduct commission charges a judge with repeated fundamental errors including directing verdicts without juries. The commission imposes sanctions verbi gratia because such conduct demonstrates gross incompetence and dereliction of duty under the applicable conduct code.
The phrase is commonly shortened to v.g. when used to introduce an example.
Supporting sources
No. It functions solely as a signal that the following statement is an example supporting the preceding legal point.
Supporting sources
Yes. Writers may substitute the English equivalent without changing meaning, though the Latin form appears in more formal or traditional legal texts.
Supporting sources
…legal rights to the unborn except in narrowly defined situations and except when the rights are contingent upon live birth. For example, the traditional rule of tort law denied recovery for prenatal injuries even though the child was born alive.[^maj-63] That rule has been changed in almost every jurisdiction. In most…