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personnel ~ personal

[very slightly different last vowel sound]

“Personnel” (noun) means ‘all the employees (staff/people employed) in a company or establishment, public works, armed forces, etc.; the section or department in a large company or establishment that deals with the problems and needs of the employees of that company or establishment’,

e.g.

The employees have made a petition to the department of personnel management to look into their transport problem.

The personnel of this private bank are very indifferent to their customers.

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“Personal” (adjective) means ‘(something) relating to, concerning or belonging to a particular person; private individual, not for everybody or for general purpose; something that is done or made by a person, not through any representative’,

e.g.

Though she accepted our plan to please us, her personal opinion was entirely against it.

The Director has a personal assistant who looks after his personal needs.   [i.e. an assistant to book tables at restaurants and hotels, to make social appointments, like birthday parties, dinners, etc.]

Common Errors:

Any great politician is without a personnel life; everything in their life is public.  [wrong]

Any great politician is without personal life; everything in their life is public.  [right]

[Return to "personnel" in People & Professions.]

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