Commonly Used Foreign words and Expressions in English

1. Ad hoc

Ad hoc, borrowed from the Latin, can be used both as an adjective, where it means “formed or created with a specific purpose,” and as an adverb, where it means “for the specific purpose or situation.”

- An ad hoc political committee, for instance, is formed for one specific case.

2. A priori

A priori is general Latin expression and the literal meaning of this expression is " from the former.

- If you think something a priori, you are conceiving it before seeing the facts. Presupposing.

3. Ad infinitum

Ad infinitum is from Latin. Literally it means "to infinity"(ad "to" and infinitum "infinity,"). Something that goes ad infinitum keeps going forever.

- You could say that your wife hassles you ad infinitum, for example.

4. Ad valorem

Ad valorem also from Latin expression and literal meaning of this expression is "to the value". This expressed is used when something is related to the value of an object or transaction.

- An ad valorem tax which is proportional to the value of the product.

5. Bona Fide

Bona fide is a Latin expression means " in good faith". Originally it was used as an adverb,later also as an adjective. The opposite is mala fide.

- Make sure you are dealing with a bona fide company.

6. Cul-de-sac

This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads to nowhere or an impasse.

- Suppose this one that she had chosen at random terminated in a cul-de-sac ?

7. De Facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb). In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).

- English is the de facto official language of the United States. Some states are currently working on legislation that would make English the de jure official language of the United States.

8. Per se

Per se is a Latin expression that means “by itself” or “intrinsically.” If something exists per se, for instance, it exists by itself, regardless of external factors.

- This candidate is not a pacifist per se, but he is in favor of peaceful solutions when practicable.

9. Status quo

This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.” If something changes the status quo, it is changing the way things presently are.

- To restore balance was to maintain the status quo of physical reality.


9. Vis-à-Vis

The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face” (used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a preposition though, meaning “compared with” or “in relation to.”

- The first dawn of day found me with my ' vis-a-vis ' and four at the door of Donna Cecilia, who came with me as before.