Reading Theme:
Personally Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：in my opinion (personally)
personally
/ˈpɜːrsənəli/
adv.
Used to emphasize that you are giving your own opinion.
in my opinion
➕
/ɪn maɪ əˈpɪnjən/
adv.
Used to emphasize that you are giving your own opinion, as opposed to speaking on behalf of others.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'personal' + '-ly', from Latin 'personalis' (of a person).
💡 Mnemonic
Remember: 'Person-ally' – think of a person saying 'I, personally, think...' to express their own view.
📖 Example
Personally, I find the new booking system a bit complicated.
Personally, I find the new booking system a bit complicated.
🔗 Collocations
speak personally – to give one's own view
personally believe – to hold a personal conviction
personally think – to express a subjective opinion
🔄 Synonyms
in my view (phrase) – from my perspective
as for me (phrase) – regarding my own opinion
for my part (phrase) – concerning my role or view
🚫 Antonyms
objectively (adv.) – in a way not influenced by personal feelings
🌱 Derivatives
personality (n.) – the combination of characteristics that form an individual's character
personalization (n.) – the action of making something personal
impersonally (adv.) – in a way that does not involve personal feelings
📖 Cultural Story
In Latin, 'personalis' referred to a person's own. In English, 'personally' emerged in the 14th century to emphasize direct involvement or subjective perspective. It is often used in meetings to preface one's own opinion.
Meaning 2：in person (personally)
personally
/ˈpɜːrsənəli/
adv.
By yourself, not through someone else.
in person
➕
/ɪn ˈpɜːrsən/
adv.
Meaning done by yourself, without involving another person as an intermediary.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
I prefer to personally handle all my travel plans rather than using an agent.
I prefer to personally handle all my travel plans rather than using an agent.
🔗 Collocations
personally attend – to be present oneself
personally deliver – to give something directly
personally responsible – taking direct accountability
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
through someone else (phrase) – via a representative
remotely (adv.) – at a distance
🌱 Derivatives
personality (n.) – the combination of characteristics that form an individual's character
personalization (n.) – the action of making something personal
impersonally (adv.) – in a way that does not involve personal feelings
Meaning 3：as a personal attack (personally)
personally
/ˈpɜːrsənəli/
adv.
In a way that feels like a direct attack on you as a person.
as a personal attack
➕
/æz ə ˈpɜːrsənəl əˈtæk/
adv.
In a way that relates to or affects you as an individual, often making you feel offended or targeted.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
He made a joke about our project, but I didn't take it personally.
He made a joke about our project, but I didn't take it personally.
🔗 Collocations
take it personally – to feel offended by something not intended as an insult
get personal – to become offensive on a personal level
personally offended – feeling insulted as an individual
🔄 Synonyms
take offense (phrase) – feel hurt or upset
feel targeted (phrase) – feel that something is directed at oneself
be sensitive to (phrase) – react emotionally to
🚫 Antonyms
take impersonally (phrase) – not feel personally affected
be objective (phrase) – view without personal bias
🌱 Derivatives
personality (n.) – the combination of characteristics that form an individual's character
personalization (n.) – the action of making something personal
impersonally (adv.) – in a way that does not involve personal feelings
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