is too personal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is too personal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is overly intimate or private, often in contexts where boundaries are being considered. Example: "I appreciate your honesty, but that question is too personal for me to answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Is it because I think the data is too personal or is it because I'm just worried that my disease will get fewer retweets than the next guy?

Forbes

Music is too personal a medium to support an absolute hierarchy of values.

The New Yorker

"I don't know if this is too personal, but I have to ask," Kira Greene said.

The New Yorker

Yet, this circuit has determined that such, though perhaps creative, is too personal to be fixed.

Harvard University

Perhaps this reflection is too personal for a forum created for sharing medical school experiences.

Stanford University

If the artist's studio is too personal, the Holocaust is too well known.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I'm not the right person to give parenting advice – it's too personal".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's too personal.

The New Yorker

It's too personal.

The Guardian - Music

He said it was too personal.

The New York Times

Question: This may be too personal.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "is too personal" to gently indicate that a conversation is venturing into inappropriate territory, preventing discomfort or escalation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all audiences are receptive to deeply personal disclosures. Before sharing, consider whether the information shared "is too personal" for the specific setting or relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is too personal" functions as a subject complement, attributing a quality of excessive privacy or intimacy to a subject. Ludwig AI examples show it used to express discomfort, set boundaries, or decline to share information. It commonly expresses that a topic is inappropriate for discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

23%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is too personal" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a topic or question is overly intimate or private. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a subject complement, primarily used to signal discomfort or decline to share information. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it's also present in academic and wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be polite and direct, ensuring clarity without causing offense. Alternatives such as "overly intimate" or "excessively private" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is overly intimate

Emphasizes the excessive level of intimacy, suggesting a breach of personal boundaries.

is excessively private

Focuses on the high degree of privacy, implying something is best kept to oneself.

is inappropriately revealing

Highlights the unsuitability of disclosing certain information.

is best left unsaid

Suggests that the topic should not be discussed at all due to its sensitive nature.

is a matter for oneself

Indicates that the issue is strictly a personal concern and not for public consumption.

should remain confidential

Stresses the need for secrecy and not divulging the information.

crosses a personal boundary

Highlights the violation of individual limits or comfort zones.

enters forbidden territory

Metaphorically points to topics that are off-limits or too sensitive to discuss.

is not for public consumption

Emphasizes that the information is not suitable or intended for the general audience.

concerns private affairs

Directly refers to matters that are personal and not to be shared.

FAQs

How can I politely refuse to answer a question that "is too personal"?

You can politely decline by saying, "I'd rather not answer that, it "is too personal" for me to discuss" or "I'm not comfortable sharing that information as it "is too personal"."

What are some alternative ways to say something "is too personal"?

Alternatives include "that's "overly intimate"", "that's "excessively private"", or "that "is best left unsaid" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to say something "is too personal"?

It's appropriate when someone asks a question that feels intrusive, violates your boundaries, or concerns information you prefer not to share publicly. This can occur in both professional and personal settings.

Is it ever okay to ask someone a question that might "be too personal"?

It's generally best to avoid asking questions that delve into someone's private life unless you have a close relationship and are confident they will be comfortable answering. Always gauge their comfort level before proceeding.