a personal stake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a personal stake' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a personal interest in a situation or outcome. For example, "By contributing to the project, I had a personal stake in its eventual success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A person could be "guarding" a page that he has a personal stake in.

The New York Times - Magazine

And he had a personal stake.

The New York Times - Sports

As if you had a personal stake in their success?

The New York Times - Sports

He has a personal stake in Indian politics.

The New York Times

But many also have a personal stake in the war.

The Economist

But Alonso has a personal stake in the changes, too.

The Guardian

Weiss has a personal stake in improving cancer molecule detection.

The Guardian

Aune has a personal stake in the research.

The Washington Post

Singers picked which judge would serve as mentor; judges had a personal stake in their team.

The New York Times - Arts

Davis, who just turned fifty, had a personal stake in the issue.

The New Yorker

"Interest in certain themes doesn't mandate a personal stake or personal experience of those themes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a personal stake", clearly articulate the nature of the stake and why it matters in the given context. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "disinterested" when you mean someone lacks "a personal stake". "Disinterested" means impartial, not uninterested.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal stake" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a particular interest, involvement, or investment that an individual has in a specific situation, outcome, or entity. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a personal stake" is a common and versatile phrase used to indicate a significant interest or investment in a particular situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including news, business, and academia. When using this phrase, it is essential to clarify the nature and importance of the stake. While alternatives like "a vested interest" or "skin in the game" exist, "a personal stake" offers a balanced level of formality suitable for diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skin in the game

An idiomatic expression implying one will share if something succeeds.

a vested interest

Focuses on the legal or formal right to benefit from something; implies a more concrete connection.

personal accountability

Highlighting the responsibility to answer for the outcomes of a particular situation

a deep involvement

Highlights the extent of participation and emotional connection.

personal responsibility

Highlighting the direct responsibility for something

a strong commitment

Emphasizes dedication and willingness to support something.

a significant investment

Highlights the resources or effort put into something, creating a sense of ownership.

a keen interest

Focuses on enthusiasm and curiosity about something.

a direct connection

Emphasizes a tangible link or association with something.

a proprietary interest

Refers to an ownership-based concern or advantage.

FAQs

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

You can use "a personal stake" to indicate that someone has a strong interest or investment in a particular outcome, for example: "Because she volunteered extensively, she had "a personal stake" in the organization's success."

What's the difference between "a personal stake" and "a vested interest"?

While both phrases imply an interest in something, "a vested interest" typically suggests a more formal or legal right to benefit, whereas ""a personal stake"" can refer to any significant personal investment or concern.

What are some alternatives to saying "a personal stake"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a vested interest", "a strong commitment", or "skin in the game".

Why is having "a personal stake" important?

Having ""a personal stake"" often motivates individuals to work harder and be more invested in achieving a positive outcome, as they stand to gain or lose something significant themselves.