Foreign Words and Phrases

Foreign Words
And
Phrases

Foreign words and phrases are words from other
languages that are frequently used in English.

When you encounter a foreign word or phrase in
a text, you can use context clues and cultural
knowledge to help determine its definition, or
you can check a print or digital resource. Many
English dictionaries will include the definitions
of common foreign words and phrases.

Understanding the meaning of these words will expand
your vocabulary in conversation and help you succeed in
school subjects and on standardized tests.

a priori

vox populi

faux pas

coup de grâce

non sequitur

in medias res

Ad hoc

cause célèbre

modus operandi (M.O.)

In designing the experiment, the researchers considered a priori
knowledge to establish a framework for their investigation.

a priori

adj

“what comes first,” a term denoting reasoning or
knowledge that comes before observation or analysis, or
is self-evident (Latin)

Deductive

Presupposed

Presumed

Premeditated

Multiple Choice

Which is an antonym for a priori?

• Presumed

• Experiential

• Premeditated

• Presupposed

ad hoc adj

“for this”; done for a certain purpose only (Origin: Latin)

The team organized an ad hoc meeting to discuss the unexpected
challenges that arose during the project.

Impromptu

Temporary

Improvised

Extemporaneous

Multiple Choice

What is a synonym for ad hoc?

• Permanent

• Prearranged

• Planned

• Improvised

The controversial trial became a cause célèbre, drawing widespread
attention and public debate.

cause célèbre

noun

a controversial issue debated widely in public
(Origin: French)

Notable case

Publicized issue

Sensational case

High-profile controversy

Multiple Choice

What is another word for cause celebre?

• Low-Key Issue

• Inconspicuous Matter

• High-Profile Controversy

• Unremarkable Incident

Match

Match the following

• Ad hoc

• Cause celebre

• A priori

done for a certain purpose only

a controversial issue debated in public

knowledge that comes before anlaysis

• done for a certain purpose only

• a controversial issue debated in public

• knowledge that comes before anlaysis

In the final moments of the match, the star player delivered a powerful
kick that acted as the coup de grâce, sealing the championship win.

coup de grâce

noun

a final action or event which results in death or
destruction (Origin: French)

Final blow

Decisive stroke

Clinching move

Conclusive action

Multiple Choice

After a long and intense debate, her well-reasoned argument served as the coupe de grace, convincing the undecided voters and securing her victory.

• Coupe de grace is used correctly

• Coupe de grace is NOT used correctly

She inadvertently committed a faux pas by mispronouncing the guest of
honor's name during the ceremony.

faux pas

noun

a social mistake or embarrassing remark (Origin:
French)

Blunder

Social gaffe

Misstep

Error in etiquette

Multiple Choice

During the important business meeting, his intentional interruption became a faux pas, leaving the crowd with positive excitement.

• Faux pas is used correctly

• Faux pas is used incorrectly

The filmmaker chose to start the movie in medias res, creating a sense of
intrigue by immersing the audience in the middle of a suspenseful plot.

in medias res

adverb

“into the middle of things,” related to literature
and beginning in the middle of the action
(Origin: Latin)

Mid-action

In the midst of things

Starting in the middle

At the heart of the matter

Multiple Choice

All Twilight series books begin with in medias res, allowing readers to start at the beginning of the story.

• In media res is used correctly

• In media res is NOT used correctly

Match

Match the following

• in media res

• cause celebre

• faux pas

• coupe de grace

• a priori

mid-action

sensational case

error in etiquette

final blow

presupposed

• mid-action

• sensational case

• error in etiquette

• final blow

• presupposed

In his mea culpa, the politician acknowledged the error in judgment and
promised to take corrective measures.

mea culpa

noun

“through my fault,” or an apology for wrongdoing
(Origin: Latin)

Apology

Acknowledgment of fault

Admission of guilt

Contrition

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT associated with the meaning of mea culpa?

• "It was my fault."

• "I'm sorry."

• "I am innocent."

• "I regret my actions."

The hacker's modus operandi involved infiltrating systems through
phishing emails and exploiting vulnerabilities in security protocols.

modus operandi (M.O.)

noun

a method or approach to doing something
(Origin: Latin)

Method of operation

Operational mode

Procedure

Technique

Multiple Choice

Who is most notably associated with a modus operandi?

• criminal

• victim

• witness

• prosecutor

His response to the question was a complete non sequitur, as it had no
logical connection to the topic at hand.

non sequitur

noun

an argument that does not follow logic; as a
literary device, an irrelevant comment (Origin:
Latin)

Irrelevant statement

Unrelated remark

Incongruous response

Illogical interjection

Multiple Choice

Which is non sequitur?

In the age of social media, the vox populi is more accessible than ever,
with online platforms amplifying public opinions.

vox populi

noun

“voice of the people,” used to refer to majority
opinion (Origin: Latin)

Public opinion

Popular sentiment

General consensus

Collective voice

Multiple Choice

Which is associated with vox populi?

Match

Match the following

• vox populi

• modus operandi

• non sequitur

• mea culpa

• in medias res

public opinion

operational mode

unrelated remark

apology

starting in the middle

• public opinion

• operational mode

• unrelated remark

• apology

• starting in the middle