Personally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Personally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express one's own opinion or perspective on a matter. Example: "Personally, I believe that we should invest more in renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I personally don't believe in any organised Gods because I don't see any organisation in the way the world has progressed.

The Guardian - Film

He added that he did not know Abedin personally.

The Guardian

bit harsh on bloggers, and bit rich from the revolving door to K St We're trying not to take it personally.

The Guardian

Then she chuckles: "I'm going to personally put a DVD under the door of every man in Hollywood, and try to get some votes for that baby".

The Guardian

But I personally go through every tactical plan before every match".

The Guardian - Sport

Three attorneys interviewed by the Guardian report being personally turned away from Homan Square between 2009 and 2013 without being allowed access to their clients.

The Guardian

"Nearly all of those references are used to call our client's success into question or to characterise her personally as difficult.

The Guardian - Arts

Bosch also claimed to have personally injected A-Rod during the period he was working for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Saïd and Mr Sherwood do not donate personally.

The Guardian

"I think it'll be easier for me to pick up career-wise and easier personally," said Tanner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What would be the unique value of personally carrying another copy of materials onward?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, reserve "Personally" for situations where the personal perspective adds value or clarity, avoiding overuse in contexts where a general statement would suffice.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence with "Personally" in formal documents or academic papers. It can make your writing sound less objective and more self-centered. Instead, integrate your personal viewpoints more subtly into the argument.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Personally" primarily functions as a disjunct, modifying the entire sentence to express the speaker's subjective viewpoint or attitude. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is usable in written English, as demonstrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Personally" functions as an adverb to express a speaker's individual opinion or perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While generally suitable for neutral to informal contexts, caution should be exercised in formal writing to avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "in my opinion" or "from my perspective" may provide greater nuance or formality. Remember to use "Personally" to clearly mark a statement as your own viewpoint, especially when this perspective adds value or clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Speaking for myself

Clarifies that the statement reflects only the speaker's view, not others'.

In my opinion

Focuses on expressing a subjective viewpoint or belief.

My view is that

Directly states that what follows is the speaker's personal viewpoint.

From my perspective

Emphasizes a viewpoint based on one's own experiences or understanding.

My personal feeling is

Highlights the emotional aspect of a personal opinion.

I believe

Expresses a personal conviction or belief.

As far as I'm concerned

Highlights the speaker's individual stance or judgment on a matter.

For my part

Indicates a personal involvement or contribution to something.

To me

Simple way to introduce a personal feeling or reaction.

For me

Similar to "to me", but with a slightly broader implication of considering personal circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "Personally" in a sentence?

Use "Personally" to indicate that the statement you are making is your own opinion or perspective. For example, "Personally, I think that" the new policy will be beneficial.

What can I say instead of "Personally"?

You can use alternatives like "in my opinion", "from my perspective", or "as far as I'm concerned depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Personally, I think" or "I personally think"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "Personally, I think" is generally more common and natural-sounding. "I personally think" can sometimes emphasize the "I" more, which might be suitable in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "Personally" and "In person"?

"Personally" refers to an opinion or perspective, while "in person" means doing something physically or face-to-face. For example, "Personally, I disagree with the decision," versus "I need to deliver the documents in person".