personal

We use the word "personal" when referring to services and things a person owns or uses, and we use "personal" for one’s own individual qualities.

• What are some of your personal strengths?
• What do you do to work on your personal development?
• Personal growth comes from participation in many different experiences.
• Mathilda contacted a personal injury lawyer following a car accident.
• People express their personal opinions in newspaper editorials and on the internet.
• Warren has a personal assistant who helps him take care of daily tasks.
• Warren also has his own personal chef. He’s very rich.

We also use "personal" when talking about a person’s privacy or self interest.

• Victor has a lot of personal problems.
• This is personal. I don’t want to talk about it.
• This matter is personal to me. It’s not about money.

The word "personally" is an adverb. It’s often used in response to situations involving expressions of ideas and opinions.

• Please don’t take this personally, but I think you have made a mistake.
• Roger hoped his criticism of his friend’s opinion on climate change wasn’t taken personally.
• Regina said that she was personally offended by the comments made by her neighbor.
• This is personally offensive to me.

The word "personalized" is an adjective. When something is personalized it’s customized or made for just one person or group.

• Personalized Christmas ornaments are very popular gifts.
• Many baby gifts are personalized with the name of the baby on the gift.
• Personalized t-shirts are made for sports teams and other organizations to create a sense of unity.

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October 12, 2018