In Esse and in Posse

Question

I have seen phrases written within English stories saying something like "in esse and in posse" and though I know a lot English, I have no idea in the world what that means. I think it is Latin. And this is a gripe that I have. Why do authors put in foreign words in English writing and expect you to know what they mean? A lot of authors throw in French words. Most people do not know French. It is very aggravating.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Well, in 65+ years of reading, I don't think I have seen those terms, but they do have a useful precise meaning in legal contexts: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/in_esse.

Many non-English words and expressions are used in English. Most people understand those that are commonly used. If a writer uses uncommon expressions without explaining them, s/he is being pretentious. Throw the book away.

Anonymous · Answer

Anonymous I have seen phrases written within English stories saying something like "in esse and in posse" and though I know a lot English, I have no idea in the world what that means. I think it is Latin. And this is a gripe that I have. Why do authors put in foreign words in English writing and expect you to know what they mean? A lot of authors throw in French words. Most people do not know French. It is very aggravating.

in esse [in actual existence];
in posse [in possibility; not actually existing; potentially].

"A corporation in the process of being formed is a corporation in posse while a corporation which is already formed is a corporation in esse."

[From World Dictionary of Foreign Expressions.]

In Esse and in Posse

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