When we are learning English, especially if it’s not our first language, spelling can sometimes trip us up. Have you ever stumbled across two spellings of what seems to be the same word and felt confused about which one is correct? It happens a lot, right? Today, we’re going to clear up a common confusion: “personally” or “personaly”?
The correct spelling is personally. It is an adverb that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, telling how something is done. For example, when you say, “I will personally deliver the message,” it means you will do it yourself rather than someone else doing it on your behalf.
Using personally adds emphasis on your personal involvement or opinion in what you’re discussing. Misplacing or misspelling this word, like writing ‘personaly’, can confuse readers and diminish the clarity of your message.
Getting It Right: How Do We Spell It?
Let’s tackle this issue straight away. The correct spelling of the word is personally.
Why the confusion, though? It’s often because English has so many words that sound the same but are spelled differently. The addition of -ly to “personal” to form an adverb can also be a bit tricky. Remember, when turning an adjective into an adverb in English, we usually add -ly at the end. This rule holds true with the word “personal,” making it “personally” when you want to describe doing something in a personal manner.
Why the Mistake Happens
Spelling errors like “personaly” are common. Imagine, you hear the word “personally” spoken. It often sounds like there is only one ‘l’ due to how quickly we speak. So, you might think writing it with one ‘l’ makes sense. But it doesn’t fit the spelling rule!
The Importance of Double ‘L’
In English, some adjectives end in a single ‘l’. However, when they change into adverbs, we double the ‘l’ and add ‘y’. It might seem tricky, like trying to catch a fly with your hand!
Examples Help Us Learn
Let’s see some examples. They really help, don’t they?
- If you speak personally, what do you mean? You mean that you are speaking from your own personal viewpoint.
- When your boss says, “I want to talk to you personally,” she means she wants to speak with you directly and privately.
- When you are taking care of an invitation list for a party, you might want to make sure to invite some friends personally.
Each of these sentences uses “personally” to add a sense of personal touch or individual attention.
Practical Tips to Remember the Correct Spelling
How can you make sure to always spell this word right? Here is a simple trick.
Think of the word “personal.” Now, imagine it needs a little extra ‘l’—like a friend coming along for a walk—before you add the ‘y’. It’s “personal” + “l” + “y”. Now we have personally. This little trick keeps the spelling correct.
Another Tip!
You could also break it down with a little story or image. Picture a person carrying a letter ‘l’ in each hand. They need both ‘l’s to balance! Isn’t that a funny way to remember?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Are there other mistakes similar to this one? Yes! Many adverbs also get misspelled. We don’t want that, do we? Here are a few more examples:
- Generally (not generaly)
- Normally (not normaly)
- Finally (not finaly)
Always remember, if the adjective ends with one ‘l’, add another ‘l’ before your ‘y’.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve talked about why we spell personally with two ‘l’s, what do you think? It’s a little easier to remember, isn’t it? English can sometimes feel like a big puzzle, but every little bit of knowledge helps us put another piece in place. So, the next time you write or type out that word, you’ll know exactly how to spell it. Who knows, maybe you’ll smile knowing you’ve got it just right.
If you find these explanations helpful, try applying the double ‘l’ rule to other adjectives that end in ‘l’ when you turn them into adverbs. It’s like a secret key that unlocks so many words for you!
