Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions

Key Notes:

What are Foreign Expressions?

• Foreign expressions are words or phrases borrowed from other languages (French, Latin, Spanish, Italian, etc.) and used in English.
• Examples: ad hoc (Latin), bon appétit (French), carpe diem (Latin).

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🔹 Why Do We Use Them?

• To sound more precise or stylish.
• Some expressions don’t have an exact English equivalent.
• Many are common in literature, history, and everyday English.

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🔹 How Can We Understand Them?

👉 Use context clues in the sentence:

• Look at the words before and after the expression.
• Think about the situation.
• Guess the meaning even if you don’t know the language.

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🔹 Examples in Context

The lawyer prepared an ad hoc committee, formed only for this special case.

• Context: “formed only for this special case” → ad hoc = for a particular purpose.

“Bon appétit!” said the host as he served dinner, wishing everyone to enjoy their meal.

• Context: “wishing everyone to enjoy their meal” → bon appétit = enjoy your meal.

Her speech ended with “carpe diem,” reminding the students to seize the day.

• Context: “reminding the students to seize the day” → carpe diem = seize the day.

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🔹 Common Foreign Expressions in English

Expression	Language	Meaning
ad hoc	Latin	for a special purpose
bon appétit	French	enjoy your meal
carpe diem	Latin	seize the day
déjà vu	French	feeling of having seen/experienced something before
faux pas	French	social mistake
alma mater	Latin	school or college one graduated from
RSVP	French	please respond (Répondez s’il vous plaît)
per capita	Latin	per person
vice versa	Latin	the other way around
status quo	Latin	the existing state of affairs

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📝 Worksheet 1: Match the Expression

Directions: Match each foreign expression to its meaning using context.

1. When she walked into the new café, she felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as though she had been there before.
2. The university invited its former students to donate, addressing them as part of the alma mater family.
3. “Please send your reply to the invitation card; it clearly says RSVP at the bottom.”
4. His rude joke at the dinner party was a major faux pas, and everyone felt uncomfortable.
5. The government wanted to maintain the status quo, avoiding any sudden changes.

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📝 Worksheet 2: Fill in the Blank

Directions: Choose the correct foreign expression from the box. (bon appétit, carpe diem, vice versa, per capita, ad hoc)

1. The teacher formed an __________ group to handle the science fair.
2. Before starting the meal, the chef smiled and said, “__________!”
3. The coach told the players, “You must live in the moment—remember, __________!”
4. The average income __________ in the city is much higher than in rural areas.
5. I respect him, and __________, he respects me.

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📝 Worksheet 3: Context Clues Practice

Directions: Read the sentences and guess the meaning of the underlined foreign expression using context.

1. The club was formed ad hoc to organize the charity event. (Meaning: __________)
2. She experienced déjà vu when she met him; it felt like they had already spoken before. (Meaning: __________)
3. His mistake at the meeting was a faux pas, and his boss was not pleased. (Meaning: __________)
4. The politician wanted to maintain the status quo instead of introducing new policies. (Meaning: __________)
5. Everyone raised their glasses, and the host said, “Bon appétit!” (Meaning: __________)

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✅ Answer Key

Worksheet 1:

1. déjà vu = feeling of having seen/experienced something before
2. alma mater = school/college one graduated from
3. RSVP = please respond
4. faux pas = social mistake
5. status quo = the existing state

Worksheet 2:

1. ad hoc
2. bon appétit
3. carpe diem
4. per capita
5. vice versa

Worksheet 3:

1. ad hoc = for a special purpose
2. déjà vu = a strange feeling of repetition
3. faux pas = a social mistake
4. status quo = the existing condition
5. bon appétit = enjoy your meal

let’s practice!