that was personal

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the meaning of the preceding sentence and to make it clear that the topic is of a personal nature. For example: "I'm really sorry for what I said - that was personal and it was wrong of me to say it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Within the 15 minutes that it took them to inform me, I lost everything that was personal," she said.

The New York Times

I had my high school students create 9/11 anniversary videos, by allowing them the creativity, to tell a story that was personal to them in some way.

The New York Times

And once again, prosecutors tried to solidify their argument that all of these contractors were paid by Mr. Pirro's companies for work that was personal, not business.

The New York Times

But while I was working on the book, it was funny, because I started going in new directions, different from any of the screenplay versions, pushing it into some territory that was personal to me.

The New Yorker

The real struggle for this puritan masochist, the one that was personal — the one that was, ironically enough, inherited — was the struggle to obliterate privilege, and thus, in some sense, to obliterate himself.

The New Yorker

(Some stretch the definition of "little" to include photos of themselves as older children.) "I wanted to make something that was personal yet universal," said Jedrek Kostecki, who founded the site with a fellow Web designer, Wojtek Krosnowski.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"They open up and talk about things that are personal.

The New York Times - Style

how much i earn? that is personal.

TechCrunch

Are there any products that are personal favorites?

Forbes

The experiences that were personal were those that resulted in changes in the self.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Shit, that's personal.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was personal" to politely decline to answer a question you deem too intrusive. For instance, in an interview, you might say, "I'd rather not discuss my salary; that was personal."

Common error

Avoid using "that was personal" in formal or professional settings where a more tactful response is appropriate. Instead, opt for phrases like "I'd prefer not to answer that at this time" or "That information is confidential."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was personal" serves as a declarative statement. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates that something is considered private, confidential, or relevant only to the speaker. Its primary function is to set a boundary and express a preference for not sharing certain information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was personal" is a common expression used to indicate that a topic or question is considered private. Ludwig AI classifies this usage as grammatically correct. It functions as a declarative statement to signal a boundary and decline further discussion. While versatile, its suitability varies with the context and relationship dynamics. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its register is generally neutral. Alternatives like "that is a private matter" may offer a more formal approach. When deciding on using this query consider if there is a better way to approach the situation by being more polite and empathetic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a private matter

Focuses on the privacy aspect, highlighting the unwillingness to share information.

that's confidential

Emphasizes the sensitive and restricted nature of the information.

that's just for me

Highlights individual ownership and exclusion of others.

that's my business

Asserts a right to keep the information to oneself.

that's a matter of discretion

Indicates that sharing the information is a choice to be made carefully.

that's close to my heart

Highlights the emotional significance and personal connection to the topic.

that is uniquely mine

Emphasizes the exclusive ownership and personal nature of the subject.

that is specifically for me

Highlights it’s relevance is tied to the speaker in question

that's deeply ingrained in me

Expresses the personal connection and inherent nature of the characteristic.

that's intrinsically linked to me

Emphasizes the inherent and inseparable connection to the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "that was personal" in a sentence?

You can use "that was personal" to indicate that a question or topic is too private to discuss. For example, "I'm not comfortable sharing details about my medical history; "that was personal"."

What's a more formal alternative to "that was personal"?

In a professional context, instead of saying ""that was personal"", you might say "I'd prefer not to disclose that information" or "That's confidential."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that was personal"?

It's appropriate to use "that was personal" when you want to politely decline sharing information you consider private or sensitive. However, be mindful of the context and the relationship with the person asking.

Are there situations where using "that was personal" might be considered rude?

Yes, using "that was personal" could be perceived as rude if it's delivered abruptly or without tact. Consider softening the response with a brief explanation or apology, such as, "I appreciate your interest, but "that was personal"."