Personal vs. Personnel: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 7, 2023
Personal vs. Personnel: "Personal" relates to individuals or their private matters; "Personnel" refers to the employees of an organization.
Key Differences
"Personal" pertains to private life, individual feelings, or confidential matters. It's about what belongs to you or characterizes you, as in personal belongings or personal opinions. "Personnel," however, is about the people who work for a company or organization. It's a collective term that doesn't refer to one's private life but to one's professional role within a group.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
"Personal" can describe things, emotions, or activities related to a specific person, disconnected from others. Personal taste, for example, means what you, specifically, like. It's not about being part of a group. "Personnel" is the exact opposite in that sense. It's not about individuals per se but about being part of a workforce. Personnel management is about overseeing employees, not managing private lives.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
The use of "personal" is broad, applying to almost anything related to individuals, from personal trainer to personal statement. It's about one's own experiences or characteristics. "Personnel," in contrast, is used strictly in professional or formal contexts. You would never use "personnel" to describe something belonging to or related to an individual outside of their work context.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
"Personal" carries a sense of ownership and intimacy. For instance, a personal letter is written for you, and possibly, only you should read it. It's not meant for a group. "Personnel" lacks that intimacy because it groups individuals together under the umbrella of their workplace. Personnel files, for example, contain no intimate secrets, just work-related information.
Harlon Moss
Nov 07, 2023
"Personal" is an adjective, while "personnel" is a noun. This grammatical difference underscores their functional difference: "personal" describes, while "personnel" denotes a collective group. You use "personal" to qualify something as related to a person, while you use "personnel" to refer to a group of people working together.
Harlon Moss
Nov 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Personal and Personnel Definitions
Personal
Personal: Unique to a specific individual.
Her personal style is quite eclectic.
Sara Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
Personnel
Personnel: The employees of or people belonging to an organization.
All personnel must attend the meeting.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Personal
Personal: Done by a person themselves, not by others.
This requires a personal touch.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Personnel
Personnel: People employed in an enterprise or on a task.
The shop's personnel are very helpful.
Janet White
Oct 19, 2023
Personal
Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
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Personnel
Personnel: The body of persons employed in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.
Military personnel are subject to strict rules.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Personnel
Personnel: A group of people ready for duty or deployment.
We have skilled personnel for this project.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Personal
Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
Personnel: A department or division of a company focused on staff-related matters.
She works in personnel management.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Personal
Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
(used with pl. verb) The people employed by or active in an organization, business, or service.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
Collection of people in an organization, such as employees and office staff, members of the military, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
(uncountable) A human resources department.
I've just had a letter from personnel.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
The body of persons employed in some public service, as the army, navy, etc.; - distinguished from matériel.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
Group of people willing to obey orders;
A public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personnel
The department responsible for hiring and training and placing employees and for seting policies for personnel management
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals
Her song was her personal look at the values of friendship.
Personal values
Personal desire
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Dealing with subjects about which one wishes (or people usually wish) to maintain privacy or discretion; not for public view; sensitive, intimate.
You can't read my diary—it is personal.
That's a very personal question.
I can't believe you went through my drawers and looked at all my personal things!
Personal reasons
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.
The words are conditional, - If thou doest well, - and so personal to Cain.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Done in person; without the intervention of another.
The immediate and personal speaking of God.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality;
A personal favor
For your personal use
Personal papers
I have something personal to tell you
A personal God
He has his personal bank account and she has hers
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Intimately concerning a person's body or physical being;
Personal hygiene
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Personal
Personal: Relating to one's private life.
He doesn't often share personal details.
Sara Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
Personal
Personal: Concerning one's body or physical being.
Personal hygiene is very important.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Personal
Personal: Intended for private use or possession.
Keep your personal items secure.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
FAQs
Can "personal" be used in formal contexts?
Yes, like in "personal statement" or "personal attorney."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is "personnel" ever used for individuals?
Rarely, it's mostly used for groups of employees.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is "personal" synonymous with "private"?
Often, though "personal" can be broader, including physical and emotional aspects.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Can "personnel" refer to non-human resources?
No, it specifically refers to people.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Can "personal" refer to things shared with others?
Typically, no. It usually pertains to individuals and their private matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Does "personnel" have a casual usage?
No, it's primarily used in formal or corporate contexts.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
Is "personnel" used in the military?
Yes, to refer to military staff or employees.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
Can "personal" relate to professional life?
Yes, in terms like "personal development" even in a career context.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Does "personal" concern belongings?
It can, as in "personal property" or "personal belongings."
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Does "personal" imply emotional attachment?
It can, as it relates to personal feelings or experiences.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Does "personal" entail responsibility?
Sometimes, especially in matters concerning one's self or possessions.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Does "personnel" imply organization?
Yes, it's about structured groups of people in a workplace.
Harlon Moss
Nov 07, 2023
Is "personal" subjective?
Often, yes. It's related to individual feelings or opinions.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Does "personnel" refer to staff quality?
Indirectly. It denotes staff but doesn't describe their qualities.
Sara Rehman
Nov 07, 2023
Can "personnel" include temporary staff?
Yes, it encompasses all staff, temporary or permanent.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is "personal" private?
Generally, yes, it's related to private life or matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
Is "personnel" about individual identities?
No, it's about people's roles within organizations.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 07, 2023
Can "personal" be exclusive?
Yes, it often pertains to something reserved for an individual.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 07, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
