Personal business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Personal business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to matters or activities that are private or related to one's own affairs, often implying that they are not for public discussion. Example: "I need to step out for a moment to take care of some personal business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's my personal business.

The New York Times

"It's a personal business.

The New York Times

It represents government interference in "personal business".

The New York Times

"This is a personal business to me.

The New York Times

My personal business is my personal business, nobody else's".

The New York Times

"This is a personal business.

The New York Times - Health

"It's my personal business," she said.

The New York Times

"It's a really personal business," he said.

The New York Times

I told them that was my personal business.

The New York Times

Some restaurateurs object to computerizing an essentially personal business.

The New York Times - Travel

PERSONAL BUSINESS: SHORT CUTS E-mail: [email protected].

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Personal business" when you want to refer to private or confidential matters that are not meant for public discussion. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "Personal business" is acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "Private affairs" or "Confidential matters" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Personal business" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to matters that are private and specific to an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Personal business" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote private or confidential matters. As Ludwig AI highlights, it finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business environments. Although versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the situation, opting for alternatives like "private matters" or "confidential affairs" in more formal settings. While the phrase is generally acceptable, exercising discretion in its use maintains effective and respectful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Private matters

Focuses more on the privacy aspect.

Private affairs

Similar to "Personal business" but slightly more formal.

Individual matters

Highlights the individual aspect of the business.

Personal affairs

A direct synonym, emphasizing the individual's involvement.

Confidential matters

Stresses the confidentiality aspect.

Private dealings

Emphasizes the act of conducting business privately.

Individual concerns

Highlights the concerns or issues related to an individual.

Proprietary matters

Focuses on ownership and confidentiality.

Personal engagements

Highlights scheduled private activities.

Private transactions

Emphasizes the financial or transactional aspect of the business.

FAQs

How can I use "Personal business" in a sentence?

You can use "Personal business" to refer to private or confidential matters. For example: "I need to take some time off for personal business" or "That's my personal business, and I'd rather not discuss it".

What are some alternatives to "Personal business"?

You can use alternatives like "private matters", "personal affairs", or "confidential matters" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to ask someone about their "Personal business"?

Generally, it is considered impolite to inquire about someone's "Personal business" unless they offer the information willingly. It implies intruding on their privacy.

When should I avoid using the phrase "Personal business"?

Avoid using "Personal business" in situations where complete transparency is expected, such as in certain professional or legal contexts, unless you're deliberately indicating that some information is confidential.