feel personal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel personal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an emotional connection or a sense of intimacy regarding a situation or experience. Example: "When I read the letter, I couldn't help but feel personal about the struggles she shared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was so ghastly it didn't feel personal, or personally critical," Beard says now, with the benefit of considered hindsight.

The Guardian - Books

–Do you feel personal responsibility for eating can reduce the chance for a person to become obese?

The New York Times

"It doesn't feel personal.

The Guardian - Books

It almost didn't feel personal.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I did feel personal responsibility.

The Guardian - Sport

Twitter may feel personal but it is all too public.

The Economist

Worst of all, the film didn't feel personal.

The New Yorker

People feel personal angst, or group angst and community obligation.

The New York Times

"For today's generation, unification doesn't feel personal any more.

The Guardian

One solution is to make ads feel personal.

The New Yorker

At this point, Issa Rae's victories feel personal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel personal" when you want to emphasize an emotional connection or a sense of individual relevance. This can be effective in conveying empathy or highlighting the impact of an event on individuals.

Common error

Avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing, where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "personally relevant" or "personally significant" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel personal" functions as a linking verb construction, where "feel" connects the subject to the adjective "personal". This construction describes a subjective experience or perception. Ludwig AI affirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel personal" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey a sense of emotional connection or individual relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase across numerous contexts, ranging from news and media to personal reflections. While highly versatile, it's best to reserve it for situations where emphasizing a subjective experience is crucial and to avoid overuse in technical documents where more precise language might be preferred. Alternatives like ""feel personally relevant"" or ""feel personally invested"" can offer nuanced replacements based on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel personally relevant

Shifts the focus to how pertinent something is to the individual.

feel a personal connection

Emphasizes the existence of a bond, rather than an emotional response.

feel personally invested

Highlights a sense of commitment and emotional stake.

feel intimately connected

Changes the emphasis to a deep, emotional link rather than a sense of relevance.

feel close to the subject

Expresses a sense of nearness or emotional proximity.

feel deeply affected

Focuses on the emotional impact experienced by the individual.

feel a strong affinity

Highlights a natural liking or attraction.

feel a sense of ownership

Implies responsibility and control in addition to emotional connection.

feel especially moved

Focuses on the emotional impact and evokes a feeling of being touched.

feel it deeply

Offers a more concise expression of profound emotional connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "feel personal" to describe a situation that evokes a strong sense of individual connection or relevance. For instance, "The story of the refugee crisis began to "feel personal" after I met a family who had been directly affected".

What are some alternatives to "feel personal"?

Alternatives include "feel intimately connected", "feel personally relevant", or "feel personally invested" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel personal"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Feel" functions as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "personal". It's a common and accepted construction.

How does "feel personal" differ from "be personal"?

"Feel personal" describes an emotional experience or perception, whereas "be personal" implies that something is inherently private or individual. For example, "Sharing my diary would "be personal"," but "The loss of my childhood home began to "feel personal"" after I saw the demolition notice.