Albeit is a conjunction with a meaning similar to “although” or “even though.” It comes from the three words “all,” “be,” and “it,” but it is always written as one word.
Albeit introduces a subordinate or dependent clause that qualifies (i.e., tells us more about) the information contained in the main clause.
Examples: Albeit in a sentenceThe movie was entertaining, albeit a bit predictable.
The hike was challenging, albeit rewarding.
There have been some technical difficulties, albeit minor ones, during the launch.
We abided by the rules, albeit with a few creative interpretations.
For all intents and purposes is a phrase which means “in effect” or “practically speaking.” It is used to indicate that the practical outcome of something is the same as something else.
Examples: For all intents and purposes in a sentenceFor all intents and purposes, she was now the leader of the party.
Even though it had done 1,000 miles, it was, for all intents and purposes, a new car.
With the exams finished, the semester was, for all intents and purposes, over.
Mea culpa comes from the Latin for “my fault,” or “through my fault.” It is an interjection (i.e., a word or phrase that expresses a feeling) but can also be used as a noun meaning an admission of guilt (e.g., “The senator issued a mea culpa via the press office”).
Mea culpa has a long history in English dating back at least to Chaucer (14th century) and originates in a prayer of confession in the Roman Catholic Church. It is now used in a much more general sense to indicate that you accept being at fault for something.
Examples: Mea culpa in a sentenceDid I leave the door unlocked? Mea culpa! I’m so sorry!
The letter was nothing but a three-page mea culpa from the assistant.
The doctor’s short mea culpa on the website did little to calm the patients’ anger.
Because mea culpa has been used in English for so long (like “ad hoc,” “in vitro,” and “de facto”), it does not need to be italicized in the way more recent loanwords from other languages do.
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If you want to know more about citation, reasoning, or rhetoric, check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Duly noted is a commonly used phrase that means “understood and taken into account.” The phrase is made up using the adverb “duly” (i.e., “in the correct manner”) and the verb “noted” (i.e., “acknowledged”).
Its most common use is in professional or formal contexts. When used more informally, it is often meant ironically as a way of disregarding the opinion expressed.
Duly noted in a sentence examplesYour comments about the new building development have been duly noted by the mayor.
The principal was wearied by the complaints, but nonetheless she duly noted them in the file.
Thank you for your comments; we have duly noted them.
