appear in person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear in person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone attending an event or meeting physically rather than virtually or through other means. Example: "The witness is required to appear in person at the court hearing next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students do not appear in person before the CAP.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Participating students must appear in person with their student ID.

University of California, Berkeley

The MPs asked him to appear in person.

Independent

Candidates for honorary degrees shall appear in person to receive their degrees.

Yale University

Some — like Feinberg and Stanford Graduate School of Business Dean Garth Saloner — will appear in person.

Stanford University

Applicants must appear in person at one of the agency's regional offices to obtain their permits.

The New York Times - Sports

Players who appear in person are those suspended for longer periods.

The New York Times - Sports

He will appear in person at Mr. Letterman's studio at the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan.

The New York Times

McClellan will hand down his findings on whether Pell should appear in person on Monday afternoon.

The Guardian

Though not scheduled to appear in person, Mr. Gates is the absent star.

The New York Times

Miss Greytak will appear in person and answer questions at today's showing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear in person" when you want to emphasize the importance of someone's physical presence at an event or meeting, especially when alternatives like virtual attendance are possible.

Common error

Avoid using "appear personally" when "appear in person" is more appropriate. "Appear in person" refers to physical presence, while "appear personally" suggests taking individual action or responsibility, potentially leading to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear in person" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of being physically present at a particular location or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing physical attendance rather than virtual or represented presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear in person" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the importance of physical presence. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it finds frequent application across various domains, including news, academia, and formal business settings. When choosing alternative phrases, consider the specific context to ensure clarity and appropriateness. While options such as "attend personally" or "be physically present" offer similar meanings, "appear in person" is generally suitable for scenarios where physical presence holds particular significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attend personally

Emphasizes the act of attending without delegation.

be physically present

Highlights the physical aspect of presence.

show up in person

More informal, emphasizing arrival.

present oneself physically

Formal, highlighting the act of making oneself physically available.

make a personal appearance

Focuses on the act of appearing for an audience.

come in person

Simple and direct, indicating a physical arrival.

be there physically

Directly states physical presence at a location.

turn up in person

Informal, similar to "show up", but slightly less common.

be present physically on site

Highlights the location of the physical presence.

personally attend

Similar to "attend personally", but with a slight shift in emphasis.

FAQs

What does "appear in person" mean?

"Appear in person" means to be physically present at a specific location, rather than attending virtually or through a representative.

When is it necessary to "appear in person"?

It is necessary to "appear in person" when physical presence is required for identification, testimony, document verification, or participation in a specific event. For example, for legal proceedings or certain administrative tasks.

What are some alternatives to "appear in person"?

You can use alternatives like "attend personally", "be physically present", or "show up in person" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "appear in person" or "show up in person"?

"Appear in person" is generally more formal than "show up in person". Use "appear in person" in professional or official contexts, and "show up in person" in more casual settings.