personal effects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal effects" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to items that belong to a person and are of a personal nature, such as clothing, jewelry, and documents. Here are some examples of how to use "personal effects" in a sentence: - "The traveler lost all of his personal effects during his trip abroad." - "The diplomat's personal effects were carefully packed and transported to their new residence." - "The police searched the suspect's car and found several illegal drugs and personal effects." - "In case of emergency, please remember to grab your important documents and personal effects before evacuating." - "The museum curated an exhibit showcasing the personal effects of famous historical figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But these personal effects have outlived the persons who used them.

The New Yorker

My bag with my personal effects.

The New York Times

"I own all the personal effects.

The New York Times

Bit-based personal effects are different.

The New York Times - Magazine

Exclusion of household goods and personal effects.

Cornell University

Indirect: include environmental and personal effects.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They put love letters from her among his personal effects.

The New Yorker

Often it returns personal effects to victims' next of kin.

The New York Times

Scottish investigators recovered his personal effects from the crash site.

The New Yorker

They carried along clothes and other personal effects.

The New York Times

They confiscated everything, mobile phones, laptops, cameras and personal effects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, consider that "personal effects" can encompass a wide range of items. Specifying types of "personal effects" (e.g. clothing, jewelry, documents) can make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid confusing "personal effects" (belongings) with "affects" (influences). Ensure the correct spelling and context to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal effects" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes items of personal property carried by or belonging to an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal effects" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase referring to items of a personal nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage across various sources. It's important to use "personal effects" accurately to avoid confusion with other terms like "affects". When writing, consider specifying the types of items included for clarity and avoid overly formal language unless appropriate. As clarified by Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate across a spectrum of writing styles, and its meaning is consistently understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal belongings

Focuses on the idea of items that belong to an individual, similar to "personal effects".

private possessions

Highlights the ownership and private nature of the items, closely related to "personal effects".

personal property

A more formal term referring to movable possessions, encompassing the meaning of "personal effects".

individual items

Emphasizes the separate and distinct nature of each item, reflecting a facet of "personal effects".

private articles

Stresses the personal and often intimate nature of the items, akin to "personal effects".

personal gear

Refers to equipment or attire specific to an individual, which can be included in "personal effects".

personal luggage

Specifies items carried during travel, which typically consist of "personal effects".

private stash

Suggests a collection of private items, which can be interpreted as "personal effects" in certain contexts.

personal stash

Similar to 'private stash', it describes a collection of personal items.

personal kit

Refers to a collection of essential items belonging to an individual.

FAQs

How to use "personal effects" in a sentence?

"Personal effects" refers to items of a personal nature. For example: "The airline lost my "personal effects" during the flight".

What items are typically considered "personal effects"?

Common "personal effects" include clothing, jewelry, documents, and other items carried on one's person. The exact definition can vary depending on the context.

What's the difference between "personal effects" and "personal property"?

"Personal property" is a broader term encompassing all movable possessions, while "personal effects" typically refers to items carried on one's person or closely associated with them.

What can I say instead of "personal effects"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "personal belongings", "private possessions", or "individual items".