personally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'personally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize your own opinion or experiences. For example: "I personally think that this is the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I personally don't believe in any organised Gods because I don't see any organisation in the way the world has progressed.

The Guardian - Film

He added that he did not know Abedin personally.

The Guardian

bit harsh on bloggers, and bit rich from the revolving door to K St We're trying not to take it personally.

The Guardian

Then she chuckles: "I'm going to personally put a DVD under the door of every man in Hollywood, and try to get some votes for that baby".

The Guardian

But I personally go through every tactical plan before every match".

The Guardian - Sport

Three attorneys interviewed by the Guardian report being personally turned away from Homan Square between 2009 and 2013 without being allowed access to their clients.

The Guardian

"Nearly all of those references are used to call our client's success into question or to characterise her personally as difficult.

The Guardian - Arts

Bosch also claimed to have personally injected A-Rod during the period he was working for him.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Saïd and Mr Sherwood do not donate personally.

The Guardian

"I think it'll be easier for me to pick up career-wise and easier personally," said Tanner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What would be the unique value of personally carrying another copy of materials onward?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, avoid overuse of "personally". Instead, restructure sentences to directly state your opinion or action without explicitly stating it's personal.

Common error

Avoid using "personally" simply as a filler. Ensure it adds value by highlighting your unique involvement or viewpoint, rather than being redundant.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "personally" is to act as an adverb, modifying a verb or clause to emphasize that an action or belief is done or held by the speaker themselves. Ludwig and the examples show it is used to add emphasis or clarify the perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "personally" is a common and versatile word used to emphasize a personal viewpoint, direct involvement, or individual action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While suitable for various contexts, including news and business communications, it's important to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "in my opinion" or "from my perspective" can offer nuanced replacements. Remember to use "personally" to add value by highlighting your unique involvement or viewpoint, rather than being a filler. As the examples demonstrate, "personally" can add clarity and emphasis to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In person

Emphasizes physical presence or direct interaction.

On a personal level

Focuses on the impact or relevance to oneself.

In my opinion

Replaces the personal focus with a direct statement of opinion.

From a personal standpoint

Similar to "from my perspective", but emphasizes a reasoned viewpoint.

From my perspective

Emphasizes a viewpoint based on personal experience or understanding.

Speaking for myself

Clarifies that the opinion is one's own and not representative of others.

As far as I'm concerned

Indicates a personal stance, often with a sense of finality.

For my part

Highlights individual responsibility or action.

For myself

Highlights individual benefit or consideration.

Directly

Indicates action done without intermediaries.

FAQs

How do I use "personally" in a sentence?

Use "personally" to emphasize that an action, belief, or feeling is your own. For example, "I "personally believe" that..." or "I "personally handled" the situation."

What can I say instead of "personally"?

Alternatives include "in my opinion", "from my perspective", or "for my part". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "personally" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a statement reflects your own individual view or involvement, distinguishing it from general knowledge or others' opinions. Otherwise use other structures to create a formal language.

Is it redundant to say "I personally think"?

Yes, it can be redundant, as "I think" already implies a personal opinion. Consider using either "I think" or ""personally believe"" for emphasis, but avoid using both together.