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"ad hominem" (Latin)

by Craig Shrives

What does the Latin term ad hominem mean?

"Ad hominem" is a Latin term that translates to "to the person" or "against the person." It refers to a logical fallacy in which an argument or critique is directed at the person making the argument rather than addressing the merits or validity of their position.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three example sentences using the term "ad hominem":

Instead of addressing the key points of the debate, he resorted to personal attacks and ad hominem arguments.
She dismissed his opinion by making ad hominem remarks about his appearance rather than engaging in a substantive discussion.
It is important to focus on the issues at hand rather than resorting to ad hominem attacks that undermine productive discourse.

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Suitable for: Teachers, advanced students, and business writers.

Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections: