Impersonal vs. Personal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Impersonal refers to lacking personal feelings, connections, or references, while personal pertains to or affects an individual, often expressing their feelings, experiences, or choices.
Key Differences
Impersonal communication or behavior shows no personal feelings or references, often appearing detached or objective. Personal interactions, on the other hand, are characterized by individual emotions, experiences, or opinions.
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In language, an impersonal style is used for general statements or facts without referring to specific individuals, whereas personal language includes personal pronouns and subjective viewpoints.
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Impersonal approaches in work or services maintain professional distance, focusing on tasks rather than individual relationships. Personal approaches in the same contexts are tailored to individual preferences or needs, fostering a sense of connection.
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An impersonal tone is often used in formal writing or speeches to maintain neutrality or authority, while a personal tone is employed in casual or intimate settings to express individuality and closeness.
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In terms of environment, impersonal settings are characterized by a lack of personal touches or warmth, aiming for functionality or universality. Personal environments are infused with individual tastes, memories, or comforts, creating a unique and intimate space.
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Comparison Chart
Emotional Involvement
Lacks emotional depth or personal connection
Involves individual feelings and emotional connections
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Language Usage
Utilizes general statements, avoids personal pronouns
Includes personal pronouns and subjective expressions
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Approach in Services
Professional, task-oriented, standardized
Tailored, individual-focused, customized
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Tone in Communication
Formal, neutral, objective
Informal, intimate, subjective
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Environmental Character
Functional, universal, devoid of personal elements
Unique, intimate, reflecting individual preferences
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Impersonal and Personal Definitions
Impersonal
Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
The judge's decision was completely impersonal.
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Personal
Done or made by a particular person.
The chef added a personal touch to the recipe.
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Impersonal
Dealing with people in a professional and detached manner.
Her tone was impersonal during the meeting.
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Personal
Of or relating to a particular person; private
“Like their personal lives, women's history is fragmented, interrupted” (Elizabeth Janeway).
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Impersonal
In grammar, not referring to any person.
In the sentence 'It is raining,' 'it' is an impersonal pronoun.
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Impersonal
Not relating to a particular person or thing.
The report provided an impersonal analysis of the data.
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Personal
Done to or for or directed toward a particular person
A personal favor.
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Impersonal
Lacking warmth or individuality.
The office's decor was stark and impersonal.
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Personal
Concerning a particular person and that person's private business, interests, or activities; intimate
I have something personal to tell you.
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Personal
Aimed pointedly at the most intimate aspects of a person, especially in a critical or hostile manner
An uncalled-for, highly personal remark.
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Personal
Tending to make remarks, or be unduly questioning, about another's affairs
As the student debate got heated, it got personal.
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Impersonal
Not responsive to or expressive of human personalities
A large, impersonal corporation.
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Personal
Relating to or having the nature of a person or self-conscious being
Belief in a personal God.
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Impersonal
Of, relating to, or being a verb that expresses the action of an unspecified subject, as in methinks, "it seems to me"; Latin pluit, "it rains"; or, with an expletive subject, it snowed.
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Personal
(Law) Of or relating to the person
Personal property as opposed to real property.
Personal jurisdiction as opposed to in rem jurisdiction.
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Impersonal
Not personal; not representing a person; not having personality.
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Impersonal
Lacking warmth or emotion; cold.
She sounded impersonal as she gave her report of the Nazi death camps.
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Personal
Personals A column in a newspaper or magazine featuring personal notices.
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Impersonal
Not having a subject, or having a third person pronoun without an antecedent.
The verb “rain” is impersonal in sentences like “It’s raining.”
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Personal
Pertaining to persons (human beings as opposed to things or animals).
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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
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Impersonal
Not personal; not representing a person; not having personality.
An almighty but impersonal power, called Fate.
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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
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Personal
(euphemistic) Intended for sexual use.
Personal lubricant; personal massager
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Impersonal
Not relating to or responsive to individual persons;
An impersonal corporation
An impersonal remark
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Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; bodily.
Personal charms
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Impersonal
Having no personal preference;
Impersonal criticism
A neutral observer
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Personal
Done in person; without an intermediary.
A personal interview
A personal meeting
Personal settings
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Personal
Relating to an individual, their character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner
Personal reflections or remarks
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Personal
Denoting ownership.
One's personal vehicle, as opposed to a company vehicle
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Personal
An advertisement by which an individual attempts to meet others with similar interests.
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Personal
Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
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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.
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Personal
Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
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Personal
Done in person; without the intervention of another.
The immediate and personal speaking of God.
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Personal
Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
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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
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Personal
Intimately concerning a person's body or physical being;
Personal hygiene
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Personal
Relating to or affecting a particular person.
She took the criticism as a personal insult.
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Personal
Of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions.
He rarely discusses his personal life.
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Personal
Relating to the body or appearance.
Personal hygiene is important for health.
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Personal
Expressing one's own ideas or feelings.
Her blog is a space for her personal opinions.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are impersonal services less customer-friendly?
Not necessarily, they can be efficient and unbiased.
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Does personal always mean emotional?
Often, but it can also simply refer to individual aspects.
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Can personal refer to physical aspects?
Yes, like personal appearance or belongings.
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Can an impersonal style be used in literature?
Yes, for an objective or omniscient narrative tone.
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Is impersonal communication common in business?
Yes, especially in formal or official contexts.
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Does personal language increase relatability?
Often, as it reflects individual experiences or feelings.
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Can impersonal be positive in some contexts?
Yes, it can denote objectivity or professionalism.
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Are impersonal emails less effective?
They can be in contexts where personal connection is key.
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Can personal choices impact professional life?
Yes, personal decisions can influence one's career.
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Can personal blogs be professional?
Yes, if they focus on professional topics or expertise.
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Is an impersonal attitude suitable for counseling?
Typically no, as counseling requires empathy and connection.
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Can impersonal treatment seem rude?
Sometimes, if it's perceived as lacking empathy.
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Is personal data protected by law?
Yes, in many jurisdictions, personal data is legally protected.
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Are personal stories used in marketing?
Yes, to create relatable and engaging content.
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Can impersonal environments affect mood?
Yes, they can feel unwelcoming or cold.
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Is personal growth a common goal?
Yes, many people strive for personal development.
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Are personal interests important in a resume?
They can be, to show well-roundedness and character.
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Do impersonal pronouns refer to specific people?
No, they're used for general or unspecified references.
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Are impersonal uniforms common in schools?
Yes, they promote a sense of equality and focus.
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Is personal feedback more effective?
It can be, if it's relevant and constructively delivered.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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