at a personal level

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a personal level" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to draw a contrast between something that is true or present in one context, but not true or present in another context. For example, "The company has been successful on a macroeconomic level, but at a personal level, many employees are still struggling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, at a personal level, there was Moynihan's vanity.

The New York Times - Magazine

Each scientist challenges him or herself at a personal level.

The New York Times - Science

"It's very frustrating at a personal level for all journalists.

The Guardian

At a personal level, Grexit would hit the finances of even the wealthiest.

The Guardian

Hostility, she says, is not usually at a personal level but towards government.

The Guardian

So in that first parliament, at a personal level, I was sort of hanging on.

The Guardian

"At a personal level, I wish I had spoken out against the effort," he says.

The New Yorker

And at a personal level I'm deeply disappointed we haven't reached a successful conclusion.

The Guardian

"At a personal level it's been absolutely fine," said Lt. Cmdr.

The New York Times

"At a personal level, I don't believe in the 'Shrum curse,' " he said.

The New Yorker

They engage at a personal level with the people they lead.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a personal level" to emphasize the impact of an event or decision on an individual, distinguishing it from broader or more abstract effects. For example, "While the new policy benefits the company overall, at a personal level, many employees face increased workloads."

Common error

Avoid using "at a personal level" when the statement is already clearly about an individual's experience or perspective. Saying "At a personal level, I found the movie enjoyable" is redundant when simply stating "I found the movie enjoyable" conveys the same meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a personal level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the scope or perspective from which something is being considered. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts to emphasize individual impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at a personal level" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the impact or relevance of something on an individual's experience. As Ludwig confirms, it's prevalent in news, science, and business contexts. When writing, use it to highlight individual experiences, but avoid redundancy by omitting it when the statement is already clearly personal. Consider alternatives like "from a personal standpoint" or "on an individual basis" for a more formal tone. Overall, "at a personal level" serves to draw attention to the subjective impact of events or decisions, often in contrast to broader implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from my perspective

Highlights that the view comes from individual and subjective interpretation.

personally speaking

Emphasizes the speaker's individual feelings or opinion.

from a personal standpoint

Focuses on the viewpoint of an individual, highlighting a specific perspective.

on an individual basis

Emphasizes dealing with something separately for each person.

in one's own experience

Highlights the role of personal experience.

as far as I'm concerned

Expresses a personal belief or opinion.

in my own case

It applies to a particular person and their individual circumstances.

on a more intimate note

Shifts the focus to a more private and personal aspect.

in a private capacity

Highlights the individual nature of the action/experience.

with regard to myself

Directly addresses the speaker's own situation or feelings.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at a personal level" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "from an individual standpoint", "on an individual basis", or "from a personal perspective". These alternatives maintain the focus on the individual but convey a more professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "at a personal level" in writing?

Use "at a personal level" when you want to emphasize the impact or relevance of something to an individual's life, feelings, or experiences, especially when contrasting it with a broader context. For instance, "The economic reforms are beneficial nationally, but "at a personal level", many families are struggling."

What's the difference between "at a personal level" and "personally"?

"Personally" is often used to express a belief or preference, while "at a personal level" is used to describe the impact or relevance of something on an individual's life or experience. You might say, "Personally, I prefer coffee," but "At a personal level, the job loss has been devastating."

What are some common synonyms for "at a personal level"?

Some common synonyms include "from a personal standpoint", "on an individual basis", "in my own experience", and "from my perspective". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.