English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
EFFECTIVE WRITING: USE FOREIGN PHRASES SPARINGLY
He paid the medical fee and sponsored her project ~in toto~ (foreign).
He paid the medical fee and sponsored her project *completely* (clear).
_In toto_ is a Latin phrase that translates to “completely,” “entirely,” or “as a whole”.
The company made ~ex gratia~ payments to the affected persons (foreign).
The company made *voluntary* payments to the affected persons (clear).
An _ex gratia_ payment is not necessary, especially legally, but is made to show good intentions.
The plan to regain the house failed ~ab initio~ (foreign).
The plan to regain the house failed *from inception* (clear).
_Ab initio_ is a Latin phrase that translates to “from the beginning” or “from inception”.
GAB
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