personally
gb/pˈɚsənəli/ us/pˈɚsənəli/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
relation
1
Involving oneself directly
Used when you talk about your own opinion, feeling, or experience.
Usage pattern:
[someone] personally [verb/opinion]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'personally' with 'in person'. 'Personally' is about your own opinion or feeling, not about being physically present.
Synonyms
in my opinion (A more explicit phrase for showing personal viewpoint; slightly less formal.)
Antonyms
objectively (Focuses on facts without personal feelings or opinions.)
Collocations
I personally think
|speaking personally
|personally speaking
Themes
communication
|emotions
|opinions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I personally believe that education should be free.
- Speaking personally, I prefer quiet vacations.
- She personally feels that the project will fail.
- I personally don't like spicy food.
- Personally, I think he's the best candidate.
Learner examples
- I personally like this movie.
- Personally, I think it is a good idea.
- I personally do not eat meat.
- Personally, I like tea more than coffee.
adverb
B1
relation
2
By oneself without help
When you do something yourself, not another person for you.
Usage pattern:
[someone] personally [does something]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with 'in person'. 'Personally' here can mean 'in person', but it also implies responsibility or direct involvement.
Synonyms
directly (Focuses on doing the action without intermediaries.)
Antonyms
through someone else (Indicates the action is done via a representative or intermediary.)
Collocations
personally deliver
|personally sign
|personally handle
Themes
daily life
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The CEO personally signed the letter.
- I will personally deliver the package to your office.
- She personally checked all the data for errors.
- He personally cooked the meal for his guests.
Learner examples
- I will personally call you tomorrow.
- She personally cleaned the room.
- He personally wrote the letter.
adverb
B2
relation
3
In a way that affects oneself directly
When something affects your feelings because it is about you.
Usage pattern:
take [something] personally
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes misunderstand this as meaning 'in person'. Here it means 'in a way that affects your feelings'.
Synonyms
emotionally (Focuses on feelings being involved.)
Antonyms
impersonally (Without involving personal feelings.)
Collocations
take it personally
|nothing personal
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Don't take her comments personally; she was just stressed.
- He took the criticism personally and felt hurt.
- I hope you won't take this personally, but I disagree.
Learner examples
- Please do not take this personally.
- He took my words personally.
- I did not mean it personally.
Grammar
Dictionary form
personally
IPA
GB/pˈɚsənəli/
US/pˈɚsənəli/
Syllables & stress
per - son - ally (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: personally
- Plural: personallies
Word family
Forms
personallies
noun
Core family
Related words
personalize
verb B2
personnel
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
impersonal
adjective B2
impersonally
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
Expressions
personally speaking
1/pˈɚsənəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Introducing your own viewpoint
Used before saying your own opinion or feeling.
Examples
- Personally speaking, I think we should wait before making a decision.
- Personally speaking, I prefer books to movies.
nothing personal
1/nˈʌθɪŋ pˈɚsənəl/
fixed phrase
Not meant as an insult to you
Used to say that what you are doing is not because of dislike for the other person.
Examples
- It's nothing personal, I just have to follow the rules.
- Nothing personal, but I think we should hire someone else.
nothing personal
2/nˈʌθɪŋ pˈɚsənəl/
fixed phrase
Not meant as an insult to you specifically
Used to say you are not trying to hurt someone’s feelings.
Examples
- Nothing personal, but I think we need someone else for this job.
- It's nothing personal; it's just business policy.
take it personally
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪt pˈɚsənəli/
fixed phrase
Feel hurt by something said/done
To feel upset because you think something is directed at you personally.
Examples
- Don't take it personally; he's rude to everyone.
- She took the criticism personally and was very upset.
- She took the comment personally and stopped talking to him.