When a word or phrase comes from another language but is used in English sentences, it keeps its original meaning. You don't translate it word-by-word. Instead, you learn what it means as a whole unit
'Café' (French), 'Piano' (Italian), 'Karate' (Japanese)
Foreign words used in English are written in the same spelling as the original language. 2. Some become so common in English that they're no longer considered "foreign" (like 'café', 'restaurant'). 3. Formal/literary phrases like 'vis-à-vis', 'ad hoc', 'per capita' are often used in official documents and appear in exams. 4. Context tells you the meaning—look at how the word is used in the sentence. 5.
Latin and French phrases are most common in SSC exams.
- Fill in the blank: "The two countries signed an agreement ___ (on the spot/ad hoc/per diem)." - Synonym/Meaning: "What does 'pro bono' mean?" - Usage in sentence: Identify which phrase fits the context. - Commonly confused pairs: 'per diem' vs 'ad hoc', 'vice versa' vs 'vis-à-vis'. SHORTCUT/TRICK: Remember Latin phrases by their first letter or keyword: AD HOC = "for this specific purpose" (ad = toward, hoc = this). PER CAPITA = "for each person" (per = for, capita = head). PRO BONO = "for the public good" (pro = for, bono = good).
Understand context—"to address the crisis" = temporary, specific purpose.
Check meanings: - Per diem = daily allowance - Ad hoc = formed for a specific purpose - Vis-à-vis = in relation to - Pro rata = in proportion
Ad hoc fits because the committee is formed specifically for this crisis. Answer: (B) ad hoc
Students confuse similar-sounding phrases like 'ad hoc' and 'ad lib' (improvise). They look at first words and guess. Always check the full meaning, not just the first part.
8graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis