Personal vs Personnel
Personal (PUR-suh-nul) is the adjective — my personal opinion, personal life. Personnel (pur-suh-NEL) is the noun — staff, employees.
The one-line answer
Personal (PUR-suh-nul) is the adjective — my personal opinion, personal life. Personnel (pur-suh-NEL) is the noun — staff, employees.
personal
adjectiveprivate; relating to one person, not business
- I keep my personal and work life separate.
- She gave me her personal phone number.
- That's my personal opinion, not the company's.
personnel
nounthe employees or staff of an organization — always plural
- Military personnel get a discount.
- The personnel department handles hiring.
- Only authorized personnel may enter.
Memory trick
Personnel has that extra N like 'employees number in the dozens' — it's about people as a group. Personal ends in -al like 'individual'.
Personal vs Personnel: Test yourself
Question 1 of 2All military ___ must wear uniform.