Words / A2

PURS-uh-n-uh-lee/ˈpɜːsənəli/

Personally introduces your own view, or means you do it yourself: Personally, I think…, deal with it personally, take it personally (feel hurt). Personal is the adjective. In my opinion is a cousin phrase. Personnel is staff — mix-up. Do not write personally when you mean personality, or personally vs personably (later).

Meaning

Used to give your own opinion, or meaning “by you yourself”.

Examples

• “Personally, I prefer the slower train.”
• “Personally, I would take the earlier coach.”
• “The manager phoned me personally to apologise.”

Good to know

Personally, I… / deal with it personally. Adjective: personal. Mix-up: personnel.

New