a personal privilege

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a personal privilege" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts, such as meetings or discussions, to refer to a special right or advantage that an individual has, often to speak or express a personal opinion. Example: "Before we move on to the next agenda item, I would like to exercise a personal privilege to share my thoughts on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

There is no seeking of a personal privilege in this matter.JAVED JABBARIslamabadSIR The statement that herd privatisation was pushed upon the Mongolians in 1990 by a slew of international aid organisations gets the facts completely backwards ("The nomads' despair", April 29th).

The Economist

He argued loudly and unsuccessfully in favor of restricting federal airport searches and gave a personal privilege speech — a fancy term for a heartfelt oratorical address to the House that cannot be interrupted for debate — railing against the machinations he said prevented passage of the "anti-groping" legislation.

The New York Times

Recent weeks have brought a compendium of stories about Cabinet members treating public money as a personal privilege — thirty thousand dollars for Ben Carson's office dining set, forty thousand for Scott Pruitt's soundproof phone booth, a million for Steven Mnuchin's military flights.

The New Yorker

"To be captain is a personal privilege bestowed on me by Steve and I'm grateful.

BBC

I consider it to be a personal privilege to be part of this life giving organization.

Huffington Post

It was a personal privilege to know this wonderful man whose legacy will continue to save lives and inspire future generations".

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Of course even with all that recalibration, there has to be room for a little personal privilege.

The New York Times

Just one more thing, somewhere between a technicality and a point of personal privilege.

The New Yorker

The less important one, more a point of personal privilege than anything else, is … well, here's a sampling: My guess is that the author of this collection of opinions and the authors of the opinions themselves were not pounding their fist on the table about filibusters when the Republicans controlled Congress.

The New Yorker

I would like to raise a point of personal privilege.

The New York Times - Books

"Look, Mr. -- Mr. Moderator, and as a point of personal privilege, can I respond to that?" Mr. Gore asked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a personal privilege", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the privilege to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation, especially in discussions related to equity and fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "a personal privilege" when referring to fundamental rights. A privilege is a special advantage granted to some, whereas a right is something everyone is entitled to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal privilege" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies something considered to be a special advantage or right enjoyed by an individual. As Ludwig AI states, it is typically used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a personal privilege" is a noun phrase denoting a special advantage or right, used in formal contexts to express gratitude, acknowledge honor, or defend actions. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and mostly appears in news media and formal business contexts. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, understanding its nuances helps in effective and precise communication. Remember to distinguish between a privilege and a right to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular benefit

Stresses the advantageous aspect for an individual.

a private advantage

Focuses on the benefit being exclusive to an individual.

an exclusive right

Focuses on the right being exclusive and not shared.

a special entitlement

Highlights the right to something specific.

a singular advantage

Highlights that the advantage is unique and not typical.

a unique concession

Emphasizes that the privilege is granted as an exception.

a favored opportunity

Highlights the positive aspect of having a chance that is not available to everyone.

a preferential treatment

Focuses on the biased behavior.

an individual prerogative

Highlights the exclusive right or power.

a distinctive perk

Implies that is an advantage related to a role.

FAQs

How can I appropriately use "a personal privilege" in a sentence?

Use "a personal privilege" to denote a specific advantage or special right granted to an individual. For example, "Speaking at this event is "a personal privilege" for me."

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a personal privilege"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a private advantage", "a special entitlement", or "a particular benefit".

When is it appropriate to use "a personal privilege" versus "a personal right"?

"A personal privilege" is suitable when describing a benefit or advantage granted to someone, while "a personal right" refers to something inherently belonging to an individual, like freedom of speech.

Is it correct to use "personal privilege" without the article "a"?

While grammatically correct in some contexts, using "a personal privilege" is generally preferred for clarity, especially when introducing the concept. Omitting "a" may be acceptable when "personal privilege" acts as a more general descriptor.