Latin expressions in formal English (B2 Vocabulary)
These Latin phrases are fixed units you learn whole; you never translate them word by word or change the spelling, and they belong to formal, written English. Per se means "in itself" — it marks a thing considered on its own. Vice versa means "the other way around" — it swaps the two sides of what you just said. Et cetera (often shortened to etc.) means "and other things of the same kind"; it is the written equivalent of the more spoken "and so on." Watch the spelling: it is per se (not "per say") and vice versa (not "vice verse").
Per se, vice versa, et cetera
per se /pɚ ˈseɪ/ — The new policy isn't unfair per se, but it does create extra paperwork.
vice versa /ˈvaɪsə ˈvɚsə/ — Managers should trust their staff, and vice versa.
et cetera /ɛt ˈsɛtərə/ — The kit includes pens, paper, folders, et cetera.
Not ""The idea is not bad per say." ("per say" is a misspelling; it isn't English)" — say ""The idea is not bad per se." (in itself)". It is per se, from Latin, meaning "in itself." The sound-alike "per say" doesn't exist; keep the original Latin spelling.
Try it: Which sentence uses the Latin expression correctly? (The rule isn't wrong per se, just poorly explained. / The rule isn't wrong per say, just poorly explained. / The rule isn't wrong per se's, just poorly explained.) Answer: The rule isn't wrong per se, just poorly explained. — "Per se" means "in itself" and keeps its Latin spelling. "Per say" is a common misspelling that isn't English, and "per se's" invents a possessive form the fixed phrase never takes.
Bona fide, status quo, ad hoc
In formal and academic writing you'll meet more fixed Latin units, all of them a formal register. Bona fide means "genuine" or "authentic," often before a noun, as in a bona fide offer. Status quo means "the current situation," usually with "the," as in maintaining the status quo. Ad hoc means "made or arranged for one specific purpose," often improvised on the spot rather than planned in advance, as in an ad hoc committee. Like the others, they keep their Latin form and never change spelling.
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 /æd ˈhɑk/ — They set up an ad hoc committee to handle the sudden funding gap.
Not ""We hold an ad hoc meeting at 9 a.m. every Monday." (a fixed weekly slot isn't ad hoc)" — say ""We hold ad hoc meetings only when an urgent issue comes up."". Ad hoc means arranged for one specific need as it arises, not on a regular schedule, so it clashes with a fixed weekly routine.
Try it: The union rejected any changes and insisted on keeping the ___. Which fits? (status quo / bona fide / vice versa) Answer: status quo — "Status quo" means the current situation, which is exactly what keeping things unchanged describes. "Bona fide" means genuine and modifies a noun, and "vice versa" means the other way around, neither of which fits "keeping the ___."
Try it: Which sentence uses 'bona fide' correctly? (We only accept bona fide applications from registered charities. / We only accept bona fide of applications from registered charities. / We only accept applications bona fide from registered charities.) Answer: We only accept bona fide applications from registered charities. — "Bona fide" means genuine and sits directly before the noun it describes, like "bona fide applications." Adding "of" breaks the fixed phrase, and placing it after the noun mangles the natural word order English uses for this adjective-like unit.