Vocabulary
Foreign phrases used in English: meaning, tone, and everyday use
An office message says that a meeting is ad hoc, while a reviewer calls a rule de facto. Neither phrase is English in origin, but both now appear in English writing. You need their current English meaning, not a word-for-word translation.
Recognize common foreign phrases in English and choose a plain-English alternative when the phrase may confuse your reader.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
déjà vu /ˌdeɪʒɑː ˈvuː/
The short answer
A foreign phrase used in English is an expression borrowed from another language and used with an established meaning in English. Learn the phrase as one unit and check whether a plain-English option suits your audience better.
We arranged an ad hoc meeting to deal with the delivery problem.
Why it works: Ad hoc means arranged for a particular purpose or situation, rather than as part of a regular plan.
3 more examples
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The team created an ad hoc checklist for the event because the usual process did not fit.
Ad hoc describes something made for one specific need, rather than a standard arrangement.
Not this:The team followed
the standard checklistfor the event because the usual process fit. What changes: Standard means part of the normal process. Ad hoc points to a special response for this situation. -
Mina became the de facto coordinator because everyone asked her to make the final arrangements.
Mina has the role in practice, even if nobody formally gave her the title.
Not this:Mina became
the official coordinatorafter the director appointed her. What changes: Official describes a formally recognized role. De facto describes the role a person actually performs. -
Walking into the empty classroom gave Leo a feeling of déjà vu.
Déjà vu is the feeling that a present experience seems familiar, even when you know it is new.
Not this:Walking into the empty classroom gave Leo
a clear memoryof yesterday's lesson. What changes: A memory refers to a known past event. Déjà vu is a feeling of familiarity without that certain link.
Read the full guide
Do not assume that a borrowed phrase keeps exactly the same meaning, spelling, or pronunciation that it has in its source language. In English, each phrase has its own usual setting and tone. Start with the meaning the phrase has in the English sentence, then decide whether it helps the reader or merely makes the sentence less direct.
Treat the phrase as one English unit
Borrowed phrases are often easiest to learn as complete units. Trying to translate each part may not give the meaning that English readers expect. Check the whole phrase in its English context instead.
The editor changed the heading, but not the argument per se.
Use ad hoc for a particular need
Ad hoc usually describes a meeting, group, decision, solution, or arrangement made for one situation. It does not simply mean quick. An ad hoc solution may take careful planning; it is still made for a particular case.
The school formed an ad hoc committee after the timetable problem appeared.
Separate de facto from official
De facto describes what happens in real life. It does not say that a rule, title, or arrangement is legally or formally approved. Compare a de facto leader, whom people follow in practice, with an official leader, who holds the recognized position.
The written policy names Omar as chair. In practice, Lina runs each meeting. Lina may be the de facto chair.
Use déjà vu for the feeling, not a memory
A feeling of déjà vu is not proof that an event happened before. It is the impression that the current moment feels strangely familiar. Use memory when you can identify the earlier event clearly.
The route felt familiar, and Priya had a brief sense of déjà vu.
Know the tone of faux pas and per se
A faux pas is an action that breaks an unstated social rule, such as using the wrong name at a formal dinner. Per se is more formal and often appears after a negative statement: the plan is not expensive per se, but it needs more staff time. In everyday speech, social mistake and in itself may be clearer.
Forgetting the host's name was an awkward faux pas.
Choose the reader-friendly form
You are writing instructions for new customers. Which wording is clearer: an ad hoc payment route or a payment route created for this case?
The plain-English wording is usually clearer for new customers. Use ad hoc when you know that the audience uses the term and the shorter phrase will not slow them down.
Before you go
Remember this
Learn borrowed phrases as English expressions with their own established meanings. Use ad hoc for a special purpose, de facto for a situation that exists in practice, déjà vu for a feeling of false familiarity, faux pas for a social mistake, and per se for something considered by itself. Choose plain English when it serves the reader better.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Foreign phrases used in English: meaning, tone, and everyday use"
What are foreign phrases used in English?
They are expressions borrowed from another language that English speakers and writers use with established English meanings. Learn the whole expression and check its usual English context.
The team created an ad hoc checklist for the event because the usual process did not fit.
What does ad hoc mean in English?
Ad hoc means made or arranged for a particular purpose or situation. An ad hoc meeting, group, or solution is created for the need at hand rather than as part of a regular system.
The team followed the standard checklist for the event because the usual process fit.
What is the difference between de facto and official?
De facto describes a role or situation that exists in practice. Official describes one that has been formally recognized. A person can lead a group de facto without receiving the official title.
Mina became the de facto coordinator because everyone asked her to make the final arrangements.
When should I use a plain-English alternative?
Choose a plain-English alternative when the audience may not know the borrowed phrase or when clear instructions matter more than a formal tone. For example, in practice can be clearer than de facto.
Mina became the official coordinator after the director appointed her.
Do foreign phrases need accent marks in English?
Many English publishers retain accent marks in phrases such as déjà vu and faux pas, while others omit them. Follow the style used by the publication and keep the spelling consistent within one document.
Walking into the empty classroom gave Leo a feeling of déjà vu.
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