What Does MODUS OPERANDI Mean? (Learn 2 Ways to Use it)
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What Does MODUS OPERANDI Mean?
First learn the meaning of MODUS OPERANDI and then examine two specific ways it is used. It is used in other contexts but take note of the two most common.
Transcript
Slide 1:
Hello, I’m David James.
Slide 2:
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Slide 3:
MODUS OPERANDI
Slide 4:
Modus operandi is a Latin phrase that means:
- a method of working
- a procedure
- a usual way of doing things
Slide 5:
In short, the expression is often used in two distinct contexts:
- criminal activity and police investigations
- business, when describing a company’s preferred way of doing business
Let’s look at some examples . . .
1st Context
Slide 6:
In the first picture we see a group of police officers ready to conduct a raid.
Sentence example:
The police knew the criminal gang’s modus operandi and carefully planned the raid.
Slide 7:
In other words, the police had been watching this criminal gang for some time and knew their method of operation which helped them to plan their raid to arrest them.
Slide 8:
The next picture shows a thief reaching through the open window of a car stealing a bag which is lying on the front seat.
This sentence example reads:
His modus operandi was to walk through car parks looking in cars for valuable items and then checking to see if the doors were unlocked.
Slide 9:
To clarify, this petty thief’s main method of working was to target car parks and look for any valuable items which had been left in the open in cars that weren’t locked.
2nd Context
Slide 10:
Next we see the front of an Apple store.
The sentence example reads:
Apple’s success is partly due to its modus operandi of making constant, small improvements to its products.
Slide 11:
In other words, Apple constantly seeks to improve its products, making gradual improvements over time – a very successful method of operation.
Slide 12:
The next picture shows a picture of author Don Tapscott beside a sign for Wall Street.
The sentence example reads:
According to author Don Tapscott, Wall Street’s modus operandi almost brought down the entire global capitalist system.
Slide 13:
That is to say, author Don Tapscott believes that Wall Street’s main method of operation was one of the reasons for the economic crisis in 2008.
Slide 14:
Apart from being used in the context of criminal activity or the business world, modus operandi is used in many other contexts . . .
Use the Meaning of MODUS OPERANDI in General Contexts
Slide 15:
The next picture shows a photographer lying flat on the ground, in the middle of the street, photographing an object nearby.
The sentence example reads:
His modus operandi as a photographer was to wander the streets and capture whatever caught his eye.
Slide 16:
To clarify, as a photographer, his usual way of working was to walk around the streets looking for things of interest to photograph.
Slide 17:
The final picture shows a chess game in progress with one contestant really concentrating.
The sentence example reads:
He tried hard to understand his opponent’s modus operandi.
Slide 18:
In other words, this chess player is concentrating hard trying to understand his opponent’s methods and way of working.
Slide 19:
So in conclusion, remember, when you see the phrase ‘modus operandi’, it refers to a method of working, a procedure, a usual way of doing things.
Slide 20:
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Slide 21:
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Now you know what MODUS OPERANDI means, look for an opportunity as soon as possible to use it in your conversation or further, in your English writing.
Similarly, if other language words in English interest you, be sure to check:
What Does TETE-A-TETE Mean?
Image Credits
Slide Nos.
6: Free Use http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/93362
8: Free Use Toa55 | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
10: Creative Commons | No change https://flic.kr/p/7fdot3
12: Creative Commons | No change https://flic.kr/p/8pgFY1 https://flic.kr/p/pSu2qD
15: Creative Commons | No change https://flic.kr/p/HTbia
17: Creative Commons | No change https://flic.kr/p/4S65dP
Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode
