in person

USAGE SUMMARY

"in person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an interaction that is taking place in a physical location between two or more people. For example: "I enjoyed meeting your parents in person at the party last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Act as you would in person.

WikiHow

It's not in person.

The New York Times

They're impressive in person".

The New York Times

It's in person.

The New York Times

In person.

Cornell University

In person, Lynch projects niceness.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

In-person visits typically remain an option.

The New York Times

In-person where possible.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

In-person interviews.

The New York Times

Request an in-person interview.

WikiHow

Interview in-person or on the phone.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in person" to clearly indicate that an interaction or event takes place physically rather than virtually. This avoids ambiguity, especially in contexts where remote communication is common.

Common error

Avoid using "in person" when the physical presence is already clear from the context. For instance, instead of saying "We met in person at the office," simply say "We met at the office" if it's understood that meetings happen physically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in person" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. This means that something is done with one's physical presence, as opposed to remotely. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in person" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to emphasize physical presence and direct interaction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its prevalence across diverse contexts like news, media, and wiki sources. When writing, use "in person" to clearly distinguish between physical and virtual interactions, but avoid redundancy when physical presence is already implied. Alternatives like "face to face" or "personally" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face to face

Emphasizes direct, visual interaction, differing from "in person" which can include non-visual presence.

physically present

Emphasizes the physical aspect of presence, suitable when contrasting with virtual presence.

personally

Highlights individual action or presence, focusing less on the interaction aspect.

present in body

Highlights the corporeal presence, often used in legal or formal contexts.

in the flesh

An informal way to say "in person", suggesting physical reality and presence.

vis-à-vis

A more formal term for direct interaction or confrontation.

in attendance

Focuses on presence at an event or gathering.

before one's eyes

Emphasizes witnessing something directly, not necessarily involving interaction.

with one's own eyes

Similar to "before one's eyes", but with a greater emphasis on personal observation.

on site

Focuses on being at a specific location, often for work or inspection purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "in person" in a sentence?

You can use "in person" to specify that an event or interaction occurred physically, as opposed to virtually. For example: "I prefer to discuss these matters "face to face" rather than over the phone."

What are some alternatives to "in person"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "face to face", "personally", or "physically present".

Is it always necessary to specify "in person" when describing a meeting?

No, it's not always necessary. If the context already implies a physical meeting, specifying "in person" can be redundant. Only use it when there's a potential for confusion with remote or virtual interactions.

What's the difference between "in person" and "personally"?

"In person" refers to a physical presence or interaction, while "personally" emphasizes individual action or involvement. For example, "I delivered the package "personally"" indicates you were the one who delivered it, whereas "I met him "in person"" indicates a physical meeting occurred.