Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. Or maybe we have “personnel”.

The difference between “personal” and “personnel” is not just spelling, it’s pronunciation as well. In “personnel”, remember it’s an ‘e’ sound at the end, and in “personal” it’s an ‘a’. Also, remember that the stress falls at the end of “personnel”.

“Personnel” is used to describe more than one person who works or staffs a place or a business. “Personal” is something that belongs to you, and maybe you feel very attached to.

Sometimes students give their teachers gifts. These gifts are very personal, and they mean a lot to us when that happens.