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Original poster

Personally, I don't see the need...

65 replies

bigcushionlover · 25/03/2025 17:02

I'm personally seeing this all the time now and it irks. I have personally even found myself saying it and I personally feel I might need to personally cut my tongue out. Is it just me or is it being overused?
I don't normally complain about language use so please don't send me to pedant's corner as they scare me!

OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonOh · 26/03/2025 00:38

CarpCarpCarp · 26/03/2025 00:03

I disagree (I'm not adding "personally" there because I actually think you're wrong 😂).

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And I disagree back😀.

Your opinion can only ever be your opinion. You cannot hold any opinion other than a personal one. If you hold the same opinion as someone else it is still yours while theirs is theirs. The use of the word "my" indicates it is yours. Saying "My personal opinion" is like saying somene's past history is dodgy. Someone's history can only occur in the past.

And I think the correct phrase for the above paragraph is "beating you over the head with my opinion".

CarpCarpCarp · 26/03/2025 00:03

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/03/2025 23:41

Yes but you don't need to add personal. "My opinion" or "I think" or similar is sufficient.

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I disagree (I'm not adding "personally" there because I actually think you're wrong 😂).

TeapotTitties · 25/03/2025 23:55

bigcushionlover · 25/03/2025 23:52

See what I mean! You guys are like bloody teachers and no one likes that shit - I just knew one of you would pop in for a comment!
Bet you feel better now though.🤣

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To be 100%, I had to put 'Pedants' in the search bit cos I wasn't sure but didn't want to risk making a dick of myself 🤭🤣

Original poster
bigcushionlover · 25/03/2025 23:52

TeapotTitties · 25/03/2025 23:43

I don't normally complain about language use so please don't send me to pedant's corner as they scare me!

Pedants' Wink

They scare me too! 😂

See what I mean! You guys are like bloody teachers and no one likes that shit - I just knew one of you would pop in for a comment!
Bet you feel better now though.🤣

OP posts:
TeapotTitties · 25/03/2025 23:43

I don't normally complain about language use so please don't send me to pedant's corner as they scare me!

Pedants' Wink

They scare me too! 😂

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/03/2025 23:41

CarpCarpCarp · 25/03/2025 23:33

I actually (personally!) just used to on a thread 😂

I used it because the issue was something that could be argued either way. I wasn't saying that anyone who disagreed with me was wrong, just that that was my view.

Yes but you don't need to add personal. "My opinion" or "I think" or similar is sufficient.

Isittimeformynapyet · 25/03/2025 23:40

Ah, now "I'm not being funny, but" really does get on my nerves.

Not just because it's usually followed by something judgemental or rude, but an ex-colleague used to say it all the time, and he just happened to be really unpleasant and thick as pigshit.

ETA or rude

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/03/2025 23:39

I have no problem with someone saying "in my opinion...." or "I don't see the need" or whatever. It's the adding in of personal or personally to make it into a pleonasm that I dislike.

Disclaimer: I have only just learned the word pleonasm. I wanted to write tautology but I knew that wasn't right so googled it. I like it. I think I, personally, will look for as many opportunities as possible to use it.

CarpCarpCarp · 25/03/2025 23:33

I actually (personally!) just used to on a thread 😂

I used it because the issue was something that could be argued either way. I wasn't saying that anyone who disagreed with me was wrong, just that that was my view.

Maitri108 · 25/03/2025 23:26

I felt physically sick.

As opposed to mentally?

Original poster
bigcushionlover · 25/03/2025 23:20

I also hate “May I ask” and “I’m not being funny” . I know what people are trying to do but it annoys me - it’s too much and I don’t get less annoyed by a personally etc - if it’s offensive, it’s offensive!

OP posts:
SometimesCalmPerson · 25/03/2025 20:31

I think people do this when they want it to be known that they recognise that other valid perspectives exist before they share their own opinions that others might disagree with.

No one says it before they comment on the weather.

Rhaidimiddim · 25/03/2025 20:24

"personally" takes a debate down a notch from "<research/academics/Chomsky/Starmer> holds that"....
It's a way of signalling that you are expressing personal beliefs, rather than holding to a particular academic/party/ideological line.

SoManyTeeth · 25/03/2025 20:22

I think it's to preempt against people treating the opinion as some kind of blanket statement, maybe as a defence against potential challenges. If they're challenged, they can point out that they did say that that was just what they personally think/feel, and nobody can tell them that they don't feel/think what they feel/think.

Either that, or they feel the need to take up less metaphorical space with their opinions, maybe don't have the confidence to make a broader, more assertive statement, or feel it's polite to leave room for the fact that other people may feel different.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 25/03/2025 20:14

I’m wondering if you are my sister! Her pet hate is “in my personal opinion” and she says “could you contrast that with your impersonal opinion?”.