you personally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you personally" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that you are referring to the individual being addressed, often to distinguish their personal opinion or action from others. For example, "What do you personally think about the proposal?" Alternative expressions include "you yourself" and "yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You personally.

The New Yorker

JS: Have you personally?

Independent

What drives you personally?

The Guardian

Well, not you personally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What about you personally?

The New York Times - Magazine

I want you personally to handle this".

The New Yorker

What have you personally done to cope?

The New York Times

Does it appeal to you personally?

The New York Times

"I'm sure they're not targeting you personally".

The New Yorker

"Not you personally, of course," he added.

The New York Times

How did the transition affect you personally?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you personally" to clearly distinguish an individual's actions, beliefs, or experiences from those of a group or general expectation. For example, "Do you personally believe this strategy will work, even if others doubt it?"

Common error

While "you personally" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "your individual perspective" or "your direct experience" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you personally" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing that an action, belief, or characteristic specifically pertains to the individual being addressed. Ludwig examples show its use in questions and statements requiring individual perspectives or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you personally" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to emphasize the individual's direct involvement, perspective, or action. As noted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, signaling a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communication. While effective for emphasis, it's crucial to avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more refined alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you specifically

Emphasizes that the action or attribute applies particularly to the person addressed.

you yourself

Highlights the individual's own action or experience.

your own self

Stresses the individual's inherent nature or personal qualities.

in your own person

Highlights direct experience or involvement.

personally you

A slightly less common inversion of the original phrase.

you independently

Focuses on the individual's autonomous action or decision.

you directly

Emphasizes the lack of intermediaries in an action involving the individual.

you individually

Singles out the person from a group.

for your part

Highlights individual responsibility or contribution.

as an individual

Frames the person as a distinct entity.

FAQs

How can I use "you personally" in a sentence?

Use "you personally" to emphasize the individual's involvement or perspective. For example: "What steps did "you personally" take to resolve the issue?"

What's a more formal alternative to "you personally"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "your individual assessment", "your direct involvement", or "your specific experience" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it redundant to say "you personally"?

While "personally" can sometimes be implied, using ""you personally"" adds emphasis, clarifying that you're asking about the individual's specific perspective or action, distinct from others.

How does "you personally" differ from "yourself"?

"Yourself" is a reflexive pronoun, whereas ""you personally"" is used for emphasis. For instance, "Did you do it yourself?" implies doing something alone, while "Did "you personally" handle this?" stresses your direct involvement.