personal reflection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal reflection" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a person's evaluation of their own thoughts and experiences, often in the context of some sort of self-improvement or development. For example, "After reading about the importance of healthy eating, I have been reflecting on my own dietary habits and making a personal reflection on what I need to do to improve my health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Write a profile of the person based on your interview and include a personal reflection on what you learned.

The New York Times

But that's a personal reflection.

The Guardian - Sport

As a personal reflection, "My Negro Problem" is compelling.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gerstner also offered a bit of personal reflection.

The New York Times

He made his first trip to Cambodia in 2005, during a period of personal reflection.

The New York Times

It's a personal reflection from all three of us, for sure.

The Guardian - Film

My book is more a personal reflection of our experiences within Slow Food.

The New York Times - Arts

"It will be a personal reflection, a memoir of growing up in New York.

The New York Times

Its "pages are filled with odd fact and obscure fantasy, illuminating comment, personal reflection and remembrance".

The New York Times - Books

With extreme storms battering communities across the country, this personal reflection on Hurricane Katrina seems sure to resonate.

The New York Times

The book focused on European politics, with remarkably little personal reflection compared with, say, Edwina Currie's 2002 Diaries.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When incorporating "personal reflection" in academic writing, ensure it is balanced with objective analysis and evidence.

Common error

Avoid using overly general or superficial "personal reflection". Instead, strive for specific insights and connections to the broader context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "personal reflection" is as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the act or process of reflecting on one's personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal reflection" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies introspection and self-assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse fields, with News & Media and Science being the most frequent contexts. When using "personal reflection", it's important to strive for specific insights and connections to the broader context, avoiding vague or superficial reflections. Alternatives such as "introspection" or "self-analysis" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-contemplation

Emphasizes deep, introspective thinking about oneself.

introspection

Focuses on examining one's own thoughts and feelings.

self-analysis

Highlights a systematic examination of one's own behavior and motivations.

thoughtful consideration

Suggests careful and deliberate thinking about a topic or experience.

inner exploration

Conveys a sense of discovering one's own inner world.

self-assessment

Implies evaluating one's own skills, qualities, and performance.

soul-searching

Indicates a deep and often emotional self-examination.

private musing

Emphasizes the solitary and reflective nature of the thought process.

personal assessment

Suggests a structured and objective evaluation of oneself.

reflective thinking

Highlights the process of thinking deeply and critically about experiences.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal reflection" to describe a process of introspection, such as: "The project encouraged "personal reflection" on my learning journey." or "After the workshop, I took some time for "personal reflection"."

What's a good alternative to "personal reflection"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "introspection", "self-analysis", or "self-contemplation" to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "personal reflection" and "self-assessment"?

"Personal reflection" generally refers to a broader process of thinking deeply about one's experiences and feelings, while "self-assessment" often implies a more structured and evaluative process of one's skills and qualities.

Is "personal reflection" formal or informal language?

"Personal reflection" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and purpose of the writing. It is frequently used in academic papers, news articles, and personal blogs.