In Person or In-Person? Which One Should You Use?

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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In Person or In-Person: In the English language, the distinction between “in person” and “in-person” can be a common source of confusion for many writers.

The key difference lies in whether you are referring to something happening face-to-face or describing an event that requires physical presence.

While “in person” is used when indicating direct interaction without the need for hyphenation, “in-person” with a hyphen functions as an adjective to emphasize physical attendance in certain contexts.

Understanding how these terms differ can significantly enhance your writing clarity and precision.

Table of Contents

In Person or In-Person:

Both “in person” and “in-person” are correct, but they have different uses:

In person: This is used as an adverbial phrase, meaning it describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It simply means face-to-face or with physical presence.

Examples: “We haven’t spoken in person in years.”

Examples: “I always prefer to meet clients in person.”

In-person: This is used as a hyphenated adjective to modify a noun. It emphasizes that something requires physical attendance or direct interaction.

Examples: “We’re having an in-person meeting to discuss the project.”

Examples: “The company is switching to a more in-person work model.”

In Person or In Person Meeting:

Both “in person” and “in-person meeting” can describe a gathering where people are physically present, but they have slightly different uses:

In Person:

Function: Adverb phrase
Meaning: Physically present, face-to-face
Usage: Describes how something is done or experienced.

Example: “I find it easier to explain complex ideas in person.”

In-Person Meeting:

Function: Hyphenated adjective

Meaning: A meeting that requires physical attendance
Usage: Modifies a noun, specifically the type of meeting.
Example: “The company is encouraging more in-person meetings for better collaboration.”

In Person or In Person Interview:

Both “in person” and “in-person interview” can be used to describe an interview where people meet face-to-face, but “in-person interview” is the more natural choice.

Here’s why:

In person: This is an adverb phrase that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It simply means face-to-face or with physical presence. While it can technically work before “interview,” it’s a bit less specific.

In-person interview: This is a hyphenated adjective that modifies a noun. It emphasizes that the interview specifically requires physical attendance, which is the defining characteristic of an interview compared to a phone or video call.

Person in Charge or Person in Charge:

Format	Function	Description	Example
Person in Charge	Noun Phrase	Identifies the individual responsible for something	We need to speak to the person in charge of this department.

What Is the Correct Way to Write in Person?

The correct way to write “in person” depends on how it functions in your sentence.

Here’s a breakdown:

In Person (Two Words):

Function: Adverb phrase
Meaning: Physically present, face-to-face

Example: “I prefer to meet clients in person whenever possible.”

In-Person (Hyphenated):

Function: Hyphenated adjective

Meaning: Requires physical attendance or happening directly between people
Example: “We’re scheduling an in-person meeting to discuss the project.”

How Do You Use in Person in A Sentence?

You can use “in person” in a sentence in a few ways, depending on what you want to emphasize:

Describing how something is done:

Example: “We haven’t spoken in person in years.”

Describing how something is experienced:

Example: “The concert was even more magical in person.”

Is It Proper to Say in Person?

Yes, saying “in person” is absolutely proper! It’s a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is happening face-to-face or with physical presence.

Here’s why:

Grammatically Correct: “In person” functions as an adverb phrase, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It’s a well-established idiom in English.
Widely Used: You’ll hear “in person” used in everyday conversations, formal writing, and even news broadcasts.

Is There Hyphen in In Person?

No, there is no hyphen in “in person” when it functions as an adverb phrase.

Here’s why:

Adverb Phrase: “In person” acts as a unit to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It describes the manner or way something happens.
No Hyphen Needed: Since it functions as a single unit and doesn’t modify a noun directly, a hyphen isn’t necessary.

Is It Formal to Write in First Person?

The formality of writing in first person (using “I” and “we”) depends on the context. Here’s a breakdown:

Generally Informal:

First person is often seen as informal in academic writing, research papers, and scientific reports. These fields prioritize objectivity and distance, achieved through third-person writing.

How Do You Use Meet in Person in A Sentence?

You can use “meet in person” in a sentence to emphasize a face-to-face encounter or physical presence in a few ways:

Arranging a Meeting:

“Let’s try to meet in person next week to discuss the project further.”

“We can finalize the details if we meet in person sometime soon.”

Contrasting with Virtual Interaction:

“We usually chat online, but we’re planning to meet in person for her birthday.”

“Due to travel restrictions, our conference will be virtual this year, but hopefully we can all meet in person next year.”

Can You Use in Person for Things?

In general, it’s not natural to use “in person” for inanimate objects. “In person” refers specifically to physical presence of people.

Here’s why:

Meaning: “In person” emphasizes the human aspect of being face-to-face or physically present with someone.
Focus on People: The phrase is built around the concept of encountering another person directly.

What Is the Synonym of In Person?

Context	Synonyms	Example
General	Face-to-face, physically present, in the flesh	“We haven’t spoken face-to-face in years.” “The conference will be held physically present this year.” “I prefer to meet clients in the flesh.”
Meetings	Live meeting, in-person meeting	“Let’s schedule a live meeting to discuss the project.” (Note: “in-person meeting” is also grammatically correct but slightly redundant)
Experiences	Live, firsthand	“The concert was even more magical live.” “It’s always better to learn a new skill firsthand.”

Conclusion and Final Thoughts!

Choosing between “in person” or “in-person” may seem like a small decision, but it can impact the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Consistency is key when deciding which style to use throughout your content.

In general, opt for “in person” when referring to being present physically and use “in-person” when describing something that involves direct interaction or connection between individuals.

Ultimately, whether you choose to keep them separate or hyphenate them, the most important thing is to maintain uniformity in your writing.