used personally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used personally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is intended for individual use rather than for business or public purposes. Example: "The software is designed for personal use, so it can be used personally by anyone who purchases it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I think that is choice language well used personally, from my point of view.

The Guardian

Our food replicator systems are modular, scalable and can be used personally or scale to thousands of liters virtually anywhere in the world.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Taliban went through the homes of every Christian foreign worker in Kabul, confiscating reading materials they used personally with their families, such as children's books, and laid it out as evidence against us.

The Guardian

The Chakrabarti report into antisemitism (pdf) in the Labour party, written by Corbyn's close ally, Shami Chakrabarti, detailed "the way in which the word 'Zionist' has been used personally, abusively, or as a euphemism for 'Jew'Jew

The Guardian

Ninety-nine percent of those who have a vehicle own a "light" vehicle (Gross Weight < 3.5 T) which can be the owners' vehicle that is used personally and professionally.

European Transport Research Review

Court documents revealed that from 2004 to 2009 the McCourts–using the Dodgers and related assets as collateral had racked up a staggering $459 million in debt, much of which was used personally.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

UC Berkeley also uses personally identifiable information to process gifts from donors.

University of California, Berkeley

Despite whatever specific exceptions Mr. Lieberman might use personally because of his unique position, observant Jews will continue to keep the Sabbath in the traditional manner.

The New York Times

"Users of ICT Resources should be aware that they do not have the same rights as they would using personally owned equipment through commercial service providers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The standard that I use personally is: are the prisons clean, are the staff positions filled and are prisoners complaining about care?

The New York Times

They then create their own designs using personally meaningful science images and share their choices with the class and a larger community.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the use of tools, techniques, or resources, use "used personally" to clarify that the application is for individual benefit or experience, differentiating it from professional or public use.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "used personally" automatically implies privacy or confidentiality. If privacy is a concern, explicitly state it rather than relying on the phrase alone to convey that meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used personally" functions as a verb phrase modifier. It describes how something was used, specifying that it was for an individual's own purposes or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used personally" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that provides clarity regarding the nature of usage, highlighting that something was intended for individual rather than collective or professional purposes. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as scientific and academic writing. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure they're accurately conveying the intended scope of application and consider that it doesn't automatically imply privacy. Related phrases, such as "personally utilized" or "individually applied", can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas with varying levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personally utilized

Replaces "used" with "utilized", adding a slightly more formal tone.

individually applied

Focuses on the individual aspect of the application.

directly employed

Highlights the directness of the usage.

personally administered

Implies a more formal or controlled application.

used by myself

Emphasizes the user's perspective and self-reference.

used on my own

Highlights the independence of the usage.

applied personally

Shifts the focus to the act of application.

personally experienced

Emphasizes the personal experience of using something.

used for myself

Clarifies that the usage is intended for personal benefit.

used in a personal capacity

Specifies that the usage is not professional or official.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "used personally" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives like "personally utilized" or "individually applied" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "used personally" and "for personal use"?

"Used personally" emphasizes the act of individual use, while "for personal use" specifies the intended purpose or scope. They're often interchangeable, but "for personal use" can be broader.

Is "used personally" the same as "used privately"?

Not necessarily. "Used privately" implies secrecy or confidentiality, while "used personally" simply means it was for individual use, regardless of whether it was private.

When should I use "used personally" instead of "used myself"?

Use "used personally" when you want to emphasize the manner or purpose of the use. Use "used myself" when you wish to stress that you specifically were the user, as opposed to someone else.