a personal condition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a personal condition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an individual's specific circumstances or state that affects them personally, often in contexts related to health, emotions, or situations. Example: "Due to a personal condition, I am unable to attend the meeting this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And given today's openness and even exhibitionism — including tell-all memoirs, diaristic blogging and YouTube stardom — a personal condition that is common and natural is no reason for discretion, many women say.

The New York Times

It's a personal condition.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Synesthesia is an intricately personal condition; it differentiates vastly from each individual.

Huffington Post

Always be aware of the contra-indications and any personal conditions or conditions of the person you are massaging.

WikiHow

As a policy principle, we cannot further discuss a particular offender's personal condition in the public domain," said the official.

The Guardian

In the tradition of crime films that balance a protagonist's debilitating personal condition with extenuating external circumstances – think James Stewart confined to a wheelchair in Rear Window or Denzel Washington to a bed in The Bone Collector – Constable Graham McGahan (Cowell) is hit with his biggest challenge when he's at his most vulnerable.

The Guardian - Film

But journalistic scepticism can brush against an innocent if unwanted personal condition – and Dutch journalists are emphatic that Schippers has suffered from acne since adolescence and that her mother and sister share similar skin problems.

The Guardian - Sport

When attaining the universal consciousness of humanity that transcends spatial and temporal determinations, the desires that derive their significance from one's personal condition as a spatio-temporal individual are seen for what they are, as being grounded upon the illusion of fragmentation, and they thereby lose much their compelling force.

SEP

It is also important to address the bill's inadequate length of time for caring for a personal health condition". The bill passed 9-4 in the D.C. Council late on Tuesday afternoon.

Forbes

Fortunately, for Arthur, it wasn't a personal medical condition caused by smoking, rather just a caring son who was trying to help.

Huffington Post

Since more than half of the debts from collection agencies that appear on credit reports are for medical bills, applicants can be forced to disclose the confidential details of a personal medical condition to get a job.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a personal condition", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a health issue, a life circumstance, or another type of private matter. Be mindful of privacy and avoid unnecessary details.

Common error

Avoid using "a personal condition" as a vague euphemism. If possible, be specific about the nature of the condition without being intrusive. Instead of just saying "due to a personal condition", consider something like "due to a family matter" or "due to a scheduling conflict" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal condition" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. It refers to a state or circumstance specific to an individual, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a personal condition" is a noun phrase used to refer to an individual's specific state or circumstance, often of a private or sensitive nature. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to provide a general explanation without delving into specific details. It is considered to have a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts including news, science, and more informal communications. While Ludwig identifies its usage as grammatically sound, its frequency is rare, so choosing a more precise term might be useful depending on the context. Some alternative phrases, like "a private matter" or "an individual circumstance", may offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a private matter

Focuses on the confidentiality aspect, rather than the nature of the condition itself.

a sensitive situation

Highlights the delicate nature of the condition, particularly in social contexts.

an individual circumstance

Emphasizes the unique and specific nature of the situation affecting a person.

a personal ailment

More specifically refers to a health-related condition or illness.

a health concern

Specifically highlights the health aspect of the condition, implying a need for attention or treatment.

a medical situation

Focuses specifically on medical aspects.

a particular problem

Emphasizes the problematic aspect of the condition.

a specific difficulty

Highlights the challenging nature of the condition.

an intimate problem

It emphasizes the privacy and personal nature of the problem.

a unique struggle

Emphasizes that the condition creates individual challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "a personal condition" in a sentence?

You can use "a personal condition" to refer to a circumstance or state that is private and specific to an individual. For example, "She had to decline the invitation due to "a personal condition"".

What's a less direct way to say "a personal condition"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "a private matter", "an individual circumstance", or "a family situation".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a personal condition"?

It's suitable when you need to acknowledge that something is affecting a person's ability or availability without disclosing sensitive details. It's often used in professional or formal contexts where privacy is important.

Is "a personal condition" the same as "a medical condition"?

Not necessarily. "A personal condition" is broader and can refer to various aspects of someone's life, while "a medical condition" specifically refers to health-related issues. A medical condition may be a type of "a personal condition", but not all personal conditions are medical.