Are you confused about the difference between personal and personnal? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between personal and personnal, and help you understand when to use each one correctly.
Let’s clarify which of the two is the proper word. The correct spelling is personal, with only one “n.” Personnal is not a word in the English language. If you come across this spelling, it is likely a typo or a mistake.
So, what does personal mean? Personal is an adjective that describes something that is related to an individual person or their private life. For example, “I have a personal goal to run a marathon this year.” Personal can also refer to something that is done in person, rather than online or through other means of communication.
On the other hand, since personnal is not a word, it doesn’t have a definition. However, it’s possible that some people may use it as a misspelling of personal, so it’s important to be aware of the correct spelling.
Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion between personal and personnal, let’s dive deeper into the correct usage of personal. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore different contexts in which personal is used, and provide examples of how to use it correctly.
Define Personal
Personal is an adjective that describes something that is related to or belonging to a specific person. It can refer to an individual’s feelings, thoughts, or experiences that are unique to them. Personal can also refer to items or belongings that are owned by an individual, such as personal possessions or personal space.
Define Personnal
Personnal is a term that is not commonly used in the English language. However, it is sometimes used as a variant spelling of “personal” in French-speaking countries. In French, “personnel” is an adjective that means “personal” in English. It can describe something that is related to or belonging to a specific person, just like the English word “personal”.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct form of a word in a sentence is crucial for effective communication. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “personal” and “personnal” in a sentence.
How To Use “Personal” In A Sentence
“Personal” is an adjective that describes something that belongs to or is related to a specific person. Here are some examples of how to use “personal” in a sentence:
- My personal opinion is that we should invest in renewable energy.
- She keeps her personal life separate from her work life.
- He gave me a personal tour of his art collection.
It is important to note that “personal” can also be used as a noun to refer to a personal item or possession. For example:
- I forgot my personal belongings at the hotel.
- She values her personal space and privacy.
How To Use “Personnal” In A Sentence
“Personnal” is a French word that is not commonly used in English. However, it can be used in legal contexts to refer to personal property or possessions. Here is an example of how to use “personnal” in a sentence:
- The will specified that all of the deceased’s personnal property would be donated to charity.
It is important to note that in most cases, the word “personal” should be used instead of “personnal” in English. Using “personnal” may cause confusion or be seen as incorrect.
More Examples Of Personal & Personnal Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between personal and personnal, it’s important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:
Examples Of Using Personal In A Sentence
- My personal opinion is that we should invest in renewable energy.
- She shared some personal details about her life with me.
- It’s important to keep your personal and professional lives separate.
- He has a personal connection to the cause.
- Personal hygiene is crucial for staying healthy.
- She wrote a personal note to each of her employees.
- He takes his personal fitness very seriously.
- My personal favorite color is blue.
- She has a personal interest in art history.
- It’s not personal, it’s just business.
Examples Of Using Personnal In A Sentence
- The company has strict rules about using personal devices at work.
- He forgot his personnal identification number and couldn’t access his account.
- She keeps all of her personnal papers in a locked file cabinet.
- The company is not responsible for any loss of personnal items.
- He was asked to provide his personnal information for the background check.
- She takes her personnal safety very seriously.
- The website requires you to create a personnal account in order to access certain features.
- He was given a warning for using his personnal email at work.
- She was hesitant to share her personnal story with the group.
- It’s important to protect your personnal information from identity theft.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to the French language, one of the most common mistakes made by English speakers is mixing up the words “personal” and “personnel”. While they may sound similar, they have very different meanings and usage. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Personal” Instead Of “Personnel”
One of the most common mistakes is using “personal” to refer to a group of people, when the correct word is “personnel”. “Personal” refers to something that belongs to or is related to an individual, while “personnel” refers to a group of people who work for an organization or company.
For example:
- Incorrect: The company’s personal are all highly qualified.
- Correct: The company’s personnel are all highly qualified.
Using “Personnel” Instead Of “Personal”
On the flip side, using “personnel” when referring to something that is personal to an individual is also incorrect. “Personnel” refers to a group of people, while “personal” refers to something that belongs to or is related to an individual.
For example:
- Incorrect: I need to update my personnel information.
- Correct: I need to update my personal information.
Confusing “Personnel” With “Human Resources”
Another common mistake is using “personnel” interchangeably with “human resources”. While they are related, they are not the same thing. “Personnel” refers to the people who work for an organization or company, while “human resources” refers to the department responsible for managing personnel-related matters such as hiring, training, and benefits.
For example:
- Incorrect: I need to speak with personnel about my benefits.
- Correct: I need to speak with human resources about my benefits.
Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to take the time to understand the meanings and usage of “personal” and “personnel”. Here are some tips:
- Remember that “personal” refers to something related to an individual, while “personnel” refers to a group of people who work for an organization or company.
- Double-check your usage of “personnel” to make sure you’re not using it interchangeably with “human resources”.
- If you’re unsure which word to use, consult a dictionary or style guide.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between personal and personnal, context is key. Both words have similar meanings, but the choice between them can depend on the context in which they are used. Understanding the nuances of each word can help you make the right choice in your writing.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between personal and personnal might change:
1. Language
If you’re writing in French, the word you’ll want to use is “personnel”, which means “staff” or “personnel”. But if you’re writing in English, “personal” is the correct word to use.
2. Business
In a business context, “personnel” refers to the employees of a company. “Personal” can refer to anything related to an individual, such as personal finances or personal development.
3. Grammar
When it comes to grammar, “personal” is often used as an adjective to describe something that belongs to or is related to a specific person. For example, “personal belongings” or “personal information”. “Personnel” is usually a noun referring to a group of people, such as the personnel department of a company.
4. Legal
In a legal context, “personal” is often used to describe something that is related to an individual, such as personal injury or personal property. “Personnel” can refer to the employees of a company or organization, as well as the policies and procedures related to managing them.
By understanding the context in which you’re writing, you can make the right choice between personal and personnal. Whether you’re writing in French or English, discussing business or legal matters, or simply describing something that belongs to an individual, choosing the right word can make all the difference in communicating your message effectively.
Exceptions To The Rules
Exceptions For Using “Personal”
While “personal” is generally used as an adjective to describe something related to an individual, there are a few exceptions to its usage:
- As a noun, “personal” can refer to a personal item or possession, such as “I keep my personal belongings in this bag.”
- In some cases, “personal” can be used to describe a topic or subject that is private or sensitive, such as “I would rather not discuss my personal life.”
- When used in the phrase “personal best,” “personal” refers to an individual’s best performance or achievement, such as “She set a new personal best in the 100-meter dash.”
Exceptions For Using “Personnal”
The word “personnal” is not commonly used in English, but it can be found in some legal documents or in French language contexts. Here are a few exceptions where it might be used:
| Usage | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| As a legal term | In some legal contexts, “personnal” is used to refer to property or assets that are not real estate. | “The deceased’s personnal property was divided among the heirs.” |
| In French language contexts | “Personnal” is the French spelling of “personal,” so it may be used in contexts where French is spoken or written. | “Je préfère garder mes affaires personnal dans ce sac.” |
Practice Exercises
To help readers improve their understanding and use of personal and personnal in sentences, here are some practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
| Instructions: | Fill in the blank with either personal or personnal. |
| Example: | ______ computers have become an essential part of our lives. |
| Answer: | Personal |
1. _______ hygiene is important for maintaining good health.
2. He wrote a _______ letter to his friend, expressing his gratitude.
3. The company has a _______ chef who prepares meals for the employees.
4. She values her _______ space and likes to spend time alone.
5. The _______ touch he added to the painting made it unique.
Exercise 2: Identify The Correct Spelling
| Instructions: | Identify the correct spelling of the word in each sentence. |
| Example: | Which is correct? My _______ life is important to me. |
| Answer: | Personal |
1. Which is correct? I have a _______ trainer who helps me stay in shape.
2. Which is correct? The _______ touch he added to the painting made it unique.
3. Which is correct? His _______ life is none of our business.
4. Which is correct? The _______ information on the website is not accurate.
5. Which is correct? She values her _______ space and likes to spend time alone.
Answer Key:
- Personal
- Personnal
- Personal
- Personal
- Personal
Conclusion
After delving into the differences between “personal” and “personnel”, it’s clear that these two words are often confused due to their similar spellings and pronunciations. However, they have vastly different meanings and should be used appropriately in written and spoken communication.
Key Takeaways
- “Personal” refers to something that is related to an individual, while “personnel” refers to a group of employees or staff members.
- It’s important to pay attention to context when deciding which word to use.
- Grammar and language use are crucial in effective communication.
By understanding the differences between “personal” and “personnel”, readers can avoid common mistakes and improve their writing and speaking skills.
Continued Learning
Grammar and language use are complex and constantly evolving. To continue improving, readers can explore resources such as:
- Grammar books and guides
- Online writing courses
- Language learning apps
By continuing to learn and practice, readers can become confident and effective communicators in any situation.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.