What is personally? Pronunciation and usage in English

personally means . Learn how to pronounce and use personally through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of personally

personallyadverb

/ˈpəːsənəli/
Definition & pronunciation of personally

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "personally" in English. It's a tricky one because of the combination of sounds! Here’s a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for accuracy):

  • /pərˈsənəlɪ/

2. Breakdown & Explanation:

  • per-: This is pronounced like "per" as in "permit". It’s a short, crisp vowel sound.
  • son-: This is pronounced like "sohn" – a slightly nasal “n” sound. It's a bit like saying "sohn" but slightly swallowing the sound a little. It's not a hard "n" you force out.
  • al-: This is pronounced like “al” as in “apple.”
  • -ly: This is the standard "-ly" ending, which creates a sustained, drawn-out sound.

3. Putting it Together – Step-by-Step:

  1. "per": Say "per" (like in permit).
  2. "sohn": Say "sohn" (nasal 'n' sound – let the sound linger a little).
  3. "al": Say "al" (like in apple).
  4. "-ly": Now, add a drawn-out "ly" sound. Think of it as a longer, sustained version of the "al" sound. It's like saying “al-loo.”

4. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them:

  • Hard "n" sound in "son": This is the biggest mistake people make. It’s not a sharp "n." It's a nasalized "n." Imagine you’re feeling a bit blocked in your nose – that's the feeling you're aiming for – but don’t actually block your nose!
  • Saying “per-son-ally”: Dividing it into three separate words sounds unnatural. It’s one continuous flow of sounds.
  • Shortening the "-ly" sound: The "-ly" at the end needs to be fully drawn out to give the word its proper rhythm.

5. Tips for Practice:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to get it right is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce personally" on YouTube. Listen to several different native speakers to get a good feel for the sound.
  • Record Yourself: Record yourself saying the word and then compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.
  • Exaggerate at First: When you're learning, it can be helpful to initially exaggerate the nasal "n" sound and the drawn-out "-ly" sound. Once you get the hang of it, you can gradually reduce the exaggeration.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • YouGlish: https://youglish.com/ (Type "personally" in the search bar and it’ll show you videos of native speakers saying it in context.)
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/ (A pronunciation dictionary with audio recordings from around the world.)

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences where "personally" is used?
  • Focus on practicing any particular part of the pronunciation (e.g., just the nasal "n")?

Usage and examples with the word personally in English

Let's break down how to use "personally" effectively in English. It's a versatile word, but it needs to be used carefully to avoid sounding abrupt or dismissive.

1. Basic Meaning:

At its core, "personally" means “in one's own opinion,” “from one's own experience,” or “as an individual.” It emphasizes that you're offering a viewpoint based on your perspective, not necessarily a universal truth.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

Here's how you can incorporate "personally" into your sentences, with examples:

  • Expressing an Opinion: This is the most common use.

    • "Personally, I think that movie was fantastic." (You just like the movie – it's your opinion.)
    • "Personally, I don't believe in astrology." (You have a personal conviction.)
    • "Personally, I'm a big fan of Italian food." (It's your preference.)

  • Sharing a Feeling or Experience:

    • "Personally, I felt a little nervous before the presentation." (You experienced nervousness.)
    • "Personally, I’ve found that exercise really helps me deal with stress." (This is what’s worked for you.)
    • "Personally, I’m very grateful for your help." (This is how you feel.)

  • Setting Boundaries (Delicately): This is where it gets tricky. Using "personally" can sometimes indicate a refusal to engage – be mindful of your tone.

    • "Personally, I'd rather not discuss that." (Instead of saying "I don't want to talk about it.") – This sounds more polite than simply saying "No."
    • "Personally, I’m not comfortable sharing that information." (Expressing a limit on what you're willing to reveal.)

  • Adding Emphasis to a Statement: (Less common, and can sound a little stiff if overused)

    • “Personally, I think it’s important to be kind.” (Emphasizing the importance to you.)

3. Important Considerations & How to Avoid Problems:

  • Tone: "Personally" can sound a bit fussy or defensive, especially if said in a certain tone of voice. It can imply a slight distance or that you're being deliberately private.

  • Alternatives: Often, you can use simpler phrasing and still convey the same meaning without the potential for misinterpretation. Instead of “Personally, I don’t think…”, you could say “I don’t think…” or “In my opinion…”

  • Don’t Overuse It: Using "personally" too frequently makes your speech sound stilted and unnatural. Choose your moments carefully.

  • Context is Key: The appropriateness of "personally" depends heavily on the situation and your relationship with the person you're speaking to.

4. When It’s Particularly Useful:

  • When responding to a direct question about someone else’s actions/feelings: "Personally, I don't agree with her decision," shows you're offering your own take, not just echoing theirs.
  • When offering a contrasting opinion: “Everyone else thinks it's boring, but personally, I found it quite engaging."

Here's a quick comparison to show how you can sometimes replace "personally":

Original Sentence Revised Sentence (without "personally")
“Personally, I think that’s a bad idea.” “I think that’s a bad idea.”
“Personally, I don’t want to go.” “I don’t want to go.”
“Personally, I felt really disappointed.” “I felt really disappointed.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of situation are you thinking about using "personally" in? (e.g., a conversation with a friend, writing an email, giving feedback at work)?
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word personally

Idioms of the word personally

take something personally
to be offended by something
  • I'm afraid he took your remarks personally.
  • Please don’t take this personally, but would you mind leaving us alone for a few moments?

Practice with vocabulary personally

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. I can't comment on the company's financial performance, but __________, I find their new product line quite innovative.
  2. Although the CEO typically delegates tasks, she decided to _________ oversee the most critical merger negotiations.
  3. All sensitive client data must be kept strictly _________ and not shared with unauthorized parties.
  4. The success of the team relies on the efforts of each _________ member, working towards a common goal.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. When asked about the controversial decision, the director stated, "I believe we made the right choice." Which of the following words could replace or enhance "I believe" to emphasize a subjective viewpoint? a) Objectively b) Personally c) Officially d) Collectively

  2. Despite the team's recommendations, the manager insisted on implementing the new strategy ______. a) indirectly b) personally c) impersonally d) generally

  3. Which of the following words emphasizes that an action is carried out directly by an individual, without delegation or reliance on others? a) Indirectly b) Collectively c) Personally d) Generally

  4. The HR department handles all matters related to company ______. a) personal b) personnel c) personable d) personification

  5. After the confidential meeting, the CEO addressed each team member ______ to discuss their concerns. a) publicly b) collectively c) individually d) generally

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: It is my strong belief that the new budget allocation will negatively impact morale.

    • Rewrite: (Use "personally")

  2. Original: The manager prefers to handle all face-to-face employee complaints himself.

    • Rewrite: (Use a related word form of "personally")

  3. Original: I think, from my own perspective, that the new software rollout will be challenging.

    • Rewrite: (Do NOT use "personally", use a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. personally
  2. personally
  3. private
  4. individual

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Personally
  2. b) Personally
  3. c) Personally
  4. b) personnel
  5. c) individually

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. I personally believe that the new budget allocation will negatively impact morale.
  2. The manager prefers to handle all personal employee complaints.
  3. I feel that the new software rollout will be challenging.

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