ad hoc session

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ad hoc session" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a meeting or gathering that is arranged for a specific purpose or task, often on a temporary basis. Example: "The committee will hold an ad hoc session to address the urgent issues that have arisen in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The constitution's text was approved at an ad hoc session of a Constituent Assembly from which the opposition was excluded.Mr Morales sees his foes as a racist elite clinging to privileges.

The Economist

Furthermore, FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence were informed during a FIFA ad hoc session at the Isokinetic Conference 2014 (Milano, Italy).

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The cost analysis in Table  3 also includes the time senior staff spent with graduates after the training to support them to apply their new skills, such as ad hoc sessions in the context of actual patient visits.

Human Resources for Health

A great schedule would be three, 5 minute sessions a day, or alternatively, frequent short ad hoc sessions when the kitten was around and in playful mood.

WikiHow

They had bonded in their hometown, Washington DC, where they occasionally met for ad-hoc sessions.

The Guardian - Music

Two centuries have turned the equivalent of an ad hoc jam session into a timeless masterpiece, so that any modern performance stands halfway between translation and transcription.

The New York Times - Arts

Victoria, 16, who stole her grandmother's car, her second offense, explained how her housing unit does a "circle-up," or ad hoc counseling session, several times a day, whenever there is a conflict, like cursing.

The New York Times

A more polished performance by another part of the loose collective, the Musical Art Quintet, a string ensemble that specializes in playing music with a Latin flavor, followed the ad hoc jam session.

The New York Times

Attendance is always an issue when creating an ad hoc information session, even when people are highly motivated to attend due to the seriousness of the epidemic.

BMC Nursing

Others convene ad hoc jam sessions with congas and bongos and other percussion instruments.

The New York Times - Arts

They conducted ad hoc training sessions for Greek youth, distributed bats, gloves and balls, and participated in meetings between Major League Baseball and the Greek Baseball Federation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the purpose of the "ad hoc session" immediately following the phrase (e.g., "ad hoc session to address budget concerns").

Common error

Avoid using "ad hoc session" to describe regularly scheduled meetings or events. The term implies a non-recurring, specifically purposed gathering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ad hoc session" functions as a noun phrase, where "ad hoc" modifies the noun "session". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase refers to a meeting or gathering arranged for a specific, often temporary, purpose. The adjectival phrase serves to describe the session's nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ad hoc session" refers to a meeting or gathering that is convened for a specific and often temporary purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is best used when the session is not part of a regular schedule and is intended to address a particular issue. The phrase is most commonly found in news, science, and professional contexts. Related phrases include "impromptu meeting" and "unscheduled session", offering alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impromptu meeting

Focuses on the unplanned and spontaneous nature of the meeting.

unscheduled session

Highlights the lack of a prior arrangement or schedule.

temporary gathering

Emphasizes the transient and non-permanent nature of the meeting.

on-the-spot meeting

Indicates that the meeting was convened immediately and without prior notice.

spur-of-the-moment session

Stresses the sudden and impulsive nature of the gathering.

informal discussion

Highlights relaxed and less structured settings compared to formal meetings.

makeshift conference

Emphasizes the temporary and possibly improvised nature of the conference.

pop-up meeting

Draws analogy to temporary retail spaces, suggesting a short-term, unexpected meeting.

off-the-cuff assembly

Highlights the lack of preparation or planning in the assembly.

extemporaneous consultation

Stresses spontaneous and unrehearsed character of the consultation.

FAQs

How can I use "ad hoc session" in a sentence?

You can use "ad hoc session" to describe a meeting or gathering that is arranged for a specific, often temporary, purpose. For example, "The team convened an "ad hoc session" to address the unexpected project delays."

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

Depending on the context, you might use "impromptu meeting", "unscheduled session", or "temporary gathering" as alternatives.

Is "ad hoc session" formal or informal?

"Ad hoc session" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's often found in professional or semi-formal settings. The formality depends more on the context of the overall communication.

What does "ad hoc" mean in the context of "ad hoc session"?

In the phrase "ad hoc session", "ad hoc" means "for this specific purpose" or "improvised". It indicates that the session was created or arranged to deal with a particular situation or problem and wasn't pre-planned or part of a regular schedule.