ad hoc interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ad hoc interview" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an interview that is conducted for a specific purpose or situation, rather than as part of a regular or structured process. Example: "The team decided to hold an ad hoc interview with the candidate to address specific concerns that arose during the initial screening."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

- Formal screening for psychological distress versus ad hoc interview if a patient brings up any problems.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To begin with, Kapadia conducted a series of ad hoc interviews near the Olympic site.

The Guardian

During one meeting this year, Mr. Juncker canceled the customary news conference afterward, only to give ad hoc interviews in different languages as he left the building.

The New York Times

Lastly, set your interviewers up for success by putting in place structured, consistent interview practices which have been shown to be twice as effective at selecting the right candidate as ad hoc interviews.

Huffington Post

Where there were missing periods or more detail required, the observations were augmented by ad hoc interviewing of the subject.

American Journal of Human Biology

The questionnaires were pre-tested in ad hoc interviews to volunteers to check its comprehension, time length, and overall feasibility.

BMC Public Health

To prevent them from boredom, we already asked them to do some "vox-pops", ad hoc interviews, in the streets of Skopje.

Unicef

Ad-hoc interviews, jumbled notes.

TechCrunch

An ad hoc job interview with the editor AP Wadsworth over a glass of sherry and a "rather indifferent" lunch at the Manchester Reform Club was a good introduction to the ways of the paper.

The Guardian - Books

Cases and controls were interviewed by ad hoc trained interviewers during their hospital stay using a structured questionnaire.

British Journal of Cancer

On the same form, patients who reported headache also answered the already validated ID migraine, a three-item instrument for migraine screening, and then underwent an ad hoc semi-structured interview with trained physicians concerning inter-IH and peri-IH.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ad hoc interview" to describe situations where a formal or pre-planned interview process isn't feasible or necessary. It's suitable when quick insights or immediate responses are needed.

Common error

Don't use "ad hoc interview" as an excuse for poor preparation. Even in unplanned situations, a basic structure or key questions should be considered to ensure the interview yields valuable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ad hoc interview" functions as a noun phrase, where "ad hoc" modifies the noun "interview". According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and describes an interview conducted for a specific purpose or situation, rather than as part of a regular process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ad hoc interview" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an interview conducted without specific planning, typically for immediate or specific needs. Ludwig provides examples from diverse sources including science, news media, and formal business contexts, indicating a broad applicability, even though its use is relatively infrequent. While alternatives like "impromptu interview" or "spontaneous interview" exist, "ad hoc interview" offers a specific nuance related to the situational and unplanned nature of the meeting. Remember that while useful in particular contexts, the "ad hoc" nature should not be an excuse for being unprepared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unplanned interview

Focuses on the lack of prior arrangement.

Spontaneous interview

Emphasizes the sudden and impulsive nature of the interview.

Impromptu interview

Highlights the on-the-spot or off-the-cuff characteristic.

Extemporaneous interview

Similar to impromptu, but might suggest a bit more preparation than "ad hoc".

Off-the-cuff interview

Emphasizes the informal and unrehearsed nature of the interview.

Informal interview

Highlights the relaxed and unstructured environment.

Unscheduled interview

Emphasizes the absence of a pre-arranged time.

Quick interview

Focuses on the short duration of the interview.

Brief interview

Similar to quick, but may also suggest a limited scope.

Makeshift interview

Emphasizes the improvised or temporary nature.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "ad hoc interview" in a sentence?

You can use "ad hoc interview" to describe an interview conducted without prior planning, often to address immediate or specific needs. For example, "The manager conducted an "unplanned interview" to quickly assess the candidate's suitability for the project".

What's a good alternative to "ad hoc interview"?

Alternatives include "impromptu interview", "spontaneous interview", or ""unplanned interview"", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is an "ad hoc interview" less valuable than a structured interview?

Not necessarily. While structured interviews offer consistency and comparability, an "ad hoc interview" can provide flexibility to explore unexpected but relevant topics, especially when immediate insights are needed. The value depends on the context and objectives.

When is it appropriate to conduct an "ad hoc interview"?

It's appropriate when immediate feedback or insights are required, formal processes are too slow or cumbersome, or unexpected issues arise that need quick assessment. However, it's important to avoid using "ad hoc" approaches as a substitute for proper planning when structure is feasible.