Latin expressions in formal English (B2 Vocabulary)

Per se means in itself, vice versa means the other way around, and et cetera means and so on.

Per se, vice versa, et cetera

Not ""The idea is not bad per say." (per say is a misspelling)" — say ""The idea is not bad per se." (in itself)". These Latin phrases are fixed units: keep the original spelling.
Try it: Farid: Do you dislike the new schedule? Lani: Not ___, though the change was announced too late. Choose the words for the blank. (per say / per se / per see) Answer: per se — Per se means in itself and keeps its Latin spelling.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
per se	/pɚ ˈseɪ/	The new policy is, per se, fine; the extra paperwork is the problem.
vice versa	/ˈvaɪsə ˈvɚsə/	Managers should trust their staff, and vice versa.
et cetera	/ɛt ˈsɛtərə/	The kit includes pens, paper, folders, et cetera.

Bona fide means genuine, status quo means the current situation, and ad hoc means arranged for one specific purpose.

Not ""We hold an ad hoc meeting at 9 a.m. every Monday." (a fixed weekly slot is not ad hoc)" — say ""We hold ad hoc meetings only when an urgent issue comes up."". Ad hoc means arranged for one specific need, not on a regular schedule.
Try it: Mei: Why are the old rules still in place? Lars: Nobody voted for a change, so the ___ continues. Choose the words for the blank. (bona fide / status quo / vice versa) Answer: status quo — Status quo means the current situation, which continues when nobody changes anything.
Try it: Ethan: Why did they refuse the ticket? Mei: They said it was not a ___ ticket, just a copy. Choose the words for the blank. (bonafide / bona fide / bona fides) Answer: bona fide — Bona fide means genuine and stays as two words before a noun.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
bona fide	/ˈboʊnə ˈfaɪd/	Only bona fide students with a valid ID can borrow from the library.
status quo	/ˈstætəs ˈkwoʊ/	The board voted to preserve the status quo rather than restructure.
ad hoc		The team used an ad hoc fix to get through the busy weekend.

Circa means approximately (with dates); verbatim, word for word; per capita, for each person; in loco parentis, in place of a parent.

Not ""The library opened circa May 3, 1998." (an exact date)" — say ""The library opened circa 1998."". Use circa when the exact date is unknown, never with a precise date.
Try it: Ira: How old is this map of Senfarren? Lani: No one knows exactly. The label just says ___ 1880. Choose the words for the blank. (circa / per capita / verbatim) Answer: circa — Circa means approximately and goes before a date when the exact year is unknown.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
circa	/ˈsɜrkə/	The farmhouse on the hill was built circa 1850.
verbatim	/vərˈbeɪtəm/	The reporter quoted the mayor's speech verbatim.
per capita	/pər ˈkæpədə/	Haffenville spends more per capita on parks than its neighbors do.
in loco parentis	/ɪn ˈloʊkoʊ pəˈrɛntɪs/	On the school trip, the teachers act in loco parentis.

Incorrect	Correct	Why
"The idea is not bad per say." (per say is a misspelling)	"The idea is not bad per se." (in itself)	These Latin phrases are fixed units: keep the original spelling.
"We hold an ad hoc meeting at 9 a.m. every Monday." (a fixed weekly slot is not ad hoc)	"We hold ad hoc meetings only when an urgent issue comes up."	Ad hoc means arranged for one specific need, not on a regular schedule.
"The library opened circa May 3, 1998." (an exact date)	"The library opened circa 1998."	Use circa when the exact date is unknown, never with a precise date.