personal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that relates to an individual or their private life, feelings, or opinions. Example: "I prefer to keep my personal life separate from my professional responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Perhaps not everyone's priority is having a 'beach body' (by the way, what is that?), and making somebody feel guilty for not prioritising it by questioning their personal choices is a step too far.

The Guardian

She said: "As Mr Darling consistently explained, he paid for personal tax advice himself.

The Guardian

Annalisa regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He pledged to cut his personal carbon footprint and emissions from his department's headquarters by 10% in 2010.

The Guardian

Nothing excludes or limits GNMA's liability for personal injury or death due to its negligence.

The Guardian

A Network Rail spokeswoman said Carne had made a personal decision.

The Guardian

"Huma represents what is best about America �� the daughter of immigrants, who has risen to the highest levels of our government on the basis of her substantial personal merit and her abiding commitment to the American ideals that she embodies so fully.

The Guardian

Clinton first addressed the issue in March, shortly after transparency concerns were raised following reports that she used only a personal email account to conduct government business.

The Guardian

"The allegation that he changed addresses for personal gain is untrue.

The Guardian

The boom in gift cards is a kind of socially tolerable version of this: the cards are somehow more personal than cash, and they're also not going to be wasted on an unwanted gift.

The Economist

But the fact that more than fifteen per cent of personal consumption expenditures now go to medical care, when in 1930 only three per cent of personal consumption did, isn't a reflection of frivolity, and that's not going to change any time soon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal" when referring to aspects of an individual's life, feelings, or characteristics that are unique to them. For example, "This is my personal opinion."

Common error

Avoid using "personal" when you mean "personnel". "Personal" refers to individual matters, while "personnel" refers to a group of people employed in an organization.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "personal" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to specify that something relates to a particular person. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "personal" is a versatile adjective indicating something belonging to, concerning, or characteristic of a particular individual. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse fields such as news, business, and informal conversations. When using "personal", ensure it appropriately conveys the intended meaning, differentiating it from related terms like "private" or "individual". Avoid the common error of confusing it with "personnel". Ultimately, mastering "personal" enhances clarity and precision in your written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual

Focuses on the single entity or person, emphasizing uniqueness and separation from others.

private

Highlights the aspect of secrecy and non-disclosure, often related to information or matters.

own

Emphasizes possession or belonging to a specific person.

personalized

Implies customization to suit individual needs or preferences.

intimate

Suggests a close and deeply personal connection or relationship.

confidential

Indicates information that is meant to be kept secret or not shared.

exclusive

Signifies something limited to a specific person or group.

subjective

Focuses on personal feelings, opinions, or interpretations.

human

Relates to the nature of being a person, often emphasizing empathy or understanding.

peculiar

Suggests something that is unique to a person.

FAQs

How can I use "personal" in a sentence?

You can use "personal" to describe something relating to a specific individual, such as "personal belongings", "personal space", or "personal opinions".

What's the difference between "personal" and "private"?

"Personal" generally refers to something belonging to or characteristic of a particular individual. "Private" implies something intended to be kept secret or not shared with others.

Which is correct, "personal data" or "personnel data"?

"Personal data" is correct when referring to information related to an individual. "Personnel data" refers to data about employees in an organization.

What can I say instead of "personal information"?

Alternatives include "private details", "individual data", or "confidential information" depending on the context.