词汇用法指南:ad hoc

ad hoc 来自拉丁语,原意是“为此”(to this),在英语中使用广泛,含义是“特地、专门、为此时此地某一特定目的”。这个词的延伸含义是“没有一贯原则”,但美国著名的英语用法专家 Bryan A. Garner 认为这是马虎的用法,不应提倡。比如:The D.C. Council, for example, undermines the work of the commission by approving tax changes on an ad hoc basis in response to the whims of business groups。Garner 认为句中的 on an ad hoc basis 应改为 haphazardly。