In-Person or In Person Difference with 10 Helpful Examples

In-Person or In Person are both grammatically correct but there is a need to understand the difference between these phrases. This article will clarify whether “in-person” should be hyphenated or left as two separate words.

Is It In-Person or In Person?

Both “in-person” and “in person” are considered correct, but they cannot be used interchangeably. The former should be used as an adverb, while the latter functions as an adjective.
For example,
“I’d like to meet her in person, but we’ll set up an in-person meeting.”
It’s simple to understand whether “in-person” should be hyphenated.

According to the AP Style Guide,
It is recommended to group two or more adjectives when they modify the same noun. When hyphenated, the noun usually follows the adjective. This results in phrases like “in-person meeting”, where “meeting” is modified by both “in” and “in person”, creating a compound adjective.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary,
“in person” is listed as hyphenated and two separate words. “Personally” is considered an idiom, while “individually” is an adjective.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary,
This lists “in person” as an idiom.
According to The Chicago Manual of Style,
Hyphens are still required when grouping common words to modify similar nouns.
Therefore, “in-person” is also considered correct.

What is In-Person?

“In-person” is grammatically correct but only applies to specific conditions.
“In-person” is commonly used as an adjective or adverb, and it usually means that something is happening face-to-face or in physical presence.
A hyphen is put between “in” and “person” to modify the noun in a sentence which becomes a compound adjective. This is common practice.
The noun can come before or after the phrase in-person but it is more common for the noun to come after the hyphenated word.

There are some examples to use “in-person” in a sentence:

• An in-person meeting would be more useful than video calls.
• This is an in-person interview, and all of you must be present there.
• The in-person event will be held on Friday. Do you have any reason for not being able to come?
• This is an in-person meeting. I hope you’ll come along because I invited you months ago
• We’re hosting an in-person meeting tomorrow.
• The in-person interview went well.

What is “In Person”?

“In person” is a phrasal noun used to indicate that a task is physically present or that a task is performed directly by another person. It does not modify any other nouns.
For example:

• I want to talk to him in person.
• She prefers to shop in person rather than online.
• I would love to meet the author in person to discuss her latest book.
• The manager will be attending the conference in person to address the company’s future plans.
• I was pleased to see my favorite singer perform live in person last night.
• It’s important to verify your identity in person when picking up sensitive documents.
• I prefer shopping in person rather than online
• It was an honor to receive the award in person at the prestigious ceremony.
• Please submit your application in person at the reception desk before the deadline.

Difference between In-Person vs In Person

In-Person	In Person
It is used as a compound adjective.	It is used as an adverb.
It means a situation where someone is physically present.	It means the physical presence of someone.
It is used in the context of meetings, events, or activities.	It is used to describe the physical presence of an individual.
Example:This is an in-person interview, and all of you must be present there.	Example: I met him in person.

Read Also: On the List or In the List: Comparison With 10 Easy Examples

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FAQ

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between “In-Person and In Person” is important for effective communication. “In person” refers to face-to-face conversation without modifying the noun. At the same time “in-person” is the hyphenated form used as a compound adjective to modify a noun. By applying these differences correctly, you can ensure clarity in your writing.