Vocabulary
Ad hoc: meaning, spelling, and use
Sign in to saveA new problem appears. Your regular plan does not cover it. What can you call the quick arrangement?
The phrase labels a response built for one new situation. You will also practice its two-word spelling.
Can you use "ad hoc" yourself?
Listen to a recording, type what you hear, and check your answer.
Speaking Beta. Sign in to record your voice.
ad hoc ad-HOK
The short answer
Ad hoc means made or arranged for one particular need outside the regular plan. Write it as two words.
We formed an ad hoc team after the main system failed.
Why it works: The system failure created the need for this team.
3 more examples
-
Before a public event
We formed an ad hoc team to solve the seating problem.
The team exists for one specific problem.
Not this:We formed an
adhocteam to solve the seating problem. What changes: Adhoc joins two words that should stay separate. -
At a community clinic
The clinic opened an ad hoc desk for the one-day event.
The temporary desk meets one event need.
Not this:The clinic called its regular daily reception desk
ad hoc. What changes: A regular daily desk is part of the normal system. -
A change at work
They arranged an ad hoc meeting after the supplier canceled.
The cancellation created the need for the meeting.
Not this:They arranged an
ad hocmeeting on their fixed weekly schedule. What changes: A fixed weekly meeting belongs to the regular plan.
Quick check
A storm closes the usual entrance. Staff create a small team only to guide visitors through another door. Which phrase fits the team?
At a museum after a storm
Answer: an ad hoc team
Show the answer
Answer: an ad hoc team
The team was created for one unexpected need, so ad hoc fits.
Read the full guide
Try the listening exerciseA sudden need can lead to an ad hoc team, meeting, or solution.
One need, one arrangement
The problem: I know ad hoc means special, but I use it for any unusual thing.
Your delivery route is blocked. You create a route for that problem alone. It is ad hoc because one need prompted it.
Created for a specific need outside the usual plan.
We opened an ad hoc help desk after the delay.
Part of the continuing plan or schedule.
The regular help desk opens every weekday.
Your turn
A library computer fails during enrollment. The library sets up one laptop desk for that afternoon. What is it?
Enrollment at a library
Answer: an ad hoc desk
Show the answer
Answer: an ad hoc desk
The desk answers one immediate problem outside the usual setup.
Make hoc the strong beat
The problem: I read the phrase as one word and put the strong beat in the wrong place.
The phrase has two short words. Keep a small space between them and say hoc with the stronger beat.
-
They formed an ad hoc panel.
Why it works: Say ad-HOK, with more force on hoc.
Your turn
Complete the phrase you hear. The second word has the strong beat.
A panel for one complaint
Answer: They formed an ad hoc panel.
Show the answer
Answer: hoc
Ad hoc is two words, and hoc carries the stronger beat.
Write two words
The problem: I often write adhoc as one word because the phrase sounds connected.
The phrase may sound quick in speech, but the written form keeps a space. Write ad hoc, not adhoc.
-
Not this:
We need an adhoc solution.Say: We need an ad hoc solution.
The standard phrase has two separate words.
-
An ad hoc group checked the damaged boxes.
Why it works: The space remains when the phrase comes before a noun.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the standard spelling?
Writing a short work update
Answer: We created an ad hoc plan for the delay.
Show the answer
Answer: We created an ad hoc plan for the delay.
The phrase is written as the two words ad hoc.
Name the purpose
The problem: I use ad hoc without showing why the arrangement was needed.
Ad hoc describes a group or action created for a particular need. Add the trigger so the reader sees the need behind it.
-
We called an ad hoc meeting after the venue canceled.
Why it works: The cancellation explains why the unplanned meeting was needed.
-
An ad hoc team handled the damaged shipment.
Why it works: The damaged shipment is the one problem assigned to the team.
Your turn
The regular support line goes down. Which update uses ad hoc clearly?
Updating customers after a service problem
Answer: We formed an ad hoc support team after the line failed.
Show the answer
Answer: We formed an ad hoc support team after the line failed.
The sentence names both the special arrangement and the problem that prompted it.
Before you go
Question 1 of 2
A school bus breaks down. Staff arrange one van for that trip. Which description fits?
Travel after a bus problem
Answer: an ad hoc arrangement
Show the answer
Answer: an ad hoc arrangement
The van was arranged for one need outside the normal transport plan.
Question 2 of 2 · One new sentence
Choose the clearest sentence for a meeting called after an unexpected safety concern.
A safety issue at an office
Answer: We called an ad hoc meeting after the alarm failed.
Show the answer
Answer: We called an ad hoc meeting after the alarm failed.
The answer has the standard spelling and names the event that prompted the meeting.
Remember this
Write ad hoc as two words. Use it for a group, meeting, fix, or plan created for one specific need.
Listen first
Listen and write
Listen, type what you hear, then choose Check my answer. Use a hint when you get stuck.
0 of 3 done
Listening 1 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
We formed an ad hoc team for the launch.
The team was formed for this specific launch need.
Listening 2 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
This ad hoc fix covers today's delivery problem.
The fix answers one delivery problem.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 3
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
Read the transcript
We needed a translator, so we formed an ad hoc group. The group ended after the meeting.
The need for a translator prompted the short-term group.
Practice complete
You listened closely.
Your result is saved in this browser.
Create a free account to keep your learning progress across devices.
Save my progressTest
Test yourself
Listen to a new clip and write what you hear. You can replay it, but hints stay off and the transcript opens after you check your answer.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Reviewing one complaint
0:00
Read the transcript
An ad hoc panel reviewed the complaint.
The panel was created to review this complaint.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Responding to new questions
0:00
Read the transcript
They created an ad hoc response when questions arose.
The response was created for those particular questions.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
Helping guests after a canceled trip
0:00
Read the transcript
Her regular travel plan failed. She made an ad hoc arrangement for the stranded hotel guests.
The failed plan created one need for a new arrangement.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
A power loss before a concert
0:00
Read the transcript
The town lost power before the evening concert. Staff quickly assembled an ad hoc crew to guide visitors safely. They used flashlights and printed signs for that one urgent need. The temporary crew ended its work after the lights returned and the hall reopened.
The power loss prompted a team for one urgent task.
Practice complete
That is the whole lesson.
Your result is saved in this browser. Pick the next lesson below.
Create a free account to keep your learning progress across devices.
Save my progressQuestions about "Ad hoc: meaning, spelling, and use"
What does ad hoc mean?
Ad hoc describes something made or arranged for one particular need, outside the regular plan.
We formed an ad hoc team after the system failed.
Is ad hoc one word or two?
Write ad hoc as two separate words. Do not close the space to make adhoc.
The school created an ad hoc transport plan.
How do I pronounce ad hoc?
Say the two words separately and put the stronger beat on hoc. The vowel in hoc varies between accents.
They needed an ad hoc solution.
Can a regular weekly meeting be ad hoc?
A meeting on a fixed weekly schedule is regular. An ad hoc meeting is called because a particular need arises outside that schedule.
We called an ad hoc meeting after the supplier canceled.
Can ad hoc describe both an action and a group?
Yes. It can describe an action taken for a particular need or a group formed to meet that need.
The neighborhood formed an ad hoc committee to organize the flood cleanup.
The manager approved an ad hoc repair after the pipe burst.