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
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.
📊
Exam Patterns
What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
- 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).
✏️
Worked Example
Solve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Understand context—"to address the crisis" = temporary, specific purpose.
2
Step 2
Check meanings:
- Per diem = daily allowance
- Ad hoc = formed for a specific purpose
- Vis-à-vis = in relation to
- Pro rata = in proportion
3
Step 3
Ad hoc fits because the committee is formed specifically for this crisis.
Answer: (B) ad hoc
COMMON MISTAKE:
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.
🔑 Key Points
Foreign words/phrases are borrowed from other languages but keep their original meaning—don't translate them literally.
Latin and French phrases are most common in SSC exams; learn them as complete units with their meanings.
Ad hoc = formed for a specific/temporary purpose; ad lib = improvise on the spot; these are easily confused.
Per capita = per person; per diem = daily allowance; pro bono = for public good without payment.
Context clue strategy: read the sentence to understand what role the phrase plays, then match meaning to the blank.
Vis-à-vis = in relation to/face to face with; often confused with 'versus'—remember 'vis' relates to 'view/vision'.
📌 Exam Facts
Ad hoc: Latin phrase meaning 'for this' or 'for this specific purpose'—used for temporary arrangements formed to solve particular problems.
Per capita: Latin term meaning 'for each person'—used in statistics (income per capita, population per capita).
Pro bono: Latin phrase meaning 'for the public good'—commonly used when professionals work without payment for social cause.
Vis-à-vis: French phrase meaning 'face to face' or 'in relation to'—used to show relationship or comparison between two things.
Per diem: Latin term meaning 'daily'—used for daily allowance given to employees during travel or official duty.
Ad lib: Latin abbreviation of 'ad libitum' meaning 'at pleasure'—means to speak or perform without preparation.
Pro rata: Latin phrase meaning 'in proportion'—used in finance and law for proportional distribution.
Carte blanche: French phrase meaning 'blank card'—implies complete freedom or authority to do whatever one wants.
Questions Asked in Previous Exams
Real questions from SSC papers — 2015 to 2024
Exam Q 12019Previous Year Pattern
The politician's speech was full of 'bête noire' references to his rival. What does the French phrase 'bête noire' most nearly mean?
🔒
4 more questions — free with an account
Create a free account in 20 seconds to unlock all questions, answers, and explanations.
Remember: Foreign words keep their original spelling and meaning—don't try to translate them word-by-word.
Formula: Use context + meaning match = correct answer. Read the sentence first, then match the phrase's meaning to the blank.
Latin phrases most common: ad hoc (for this purpose), per capita (per person), pro bono (for public good), per diem (daily allowance).
Trap: Don't confuse ad hoc (temporary, specific) with ad lib (improvise). Ad hoc has structure; ad lib is unplanned.
Quick test: If question shows 'temporary arrangement for specific issue' → ad hoc. If shows 'daily payment' → per diem. If shows 'free professional service' → pro bono.
Master these pairs to avoid mistakes: vis-à-vis (not versus), pro rata (not pro bono), ad hoc (not ad lib).
🎯
Test yourself under real exam conditions
A timed SSC CHSL mock shows exactly how Foreign Words & Phrases questions appear in the actual paper — and where you lose marks.