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Which one is correct: "personal basis" or "individual basis"? I want to use it in a formal letter. I want to say: "I don't know Mr. X on a personal basis (or individual basis) and I have not had an opportunity to work with him". I want to avoid saying "I don't know Mr. X on personally". In fact, I am looking for an equivalent phrase for the adverb "personally".

Could someone help me?

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    You could always say "I have not met him", if that is the case.
    – JeffSahol
    Commented Jan 14, 2013 at 19:11
  • I think the 'Mr X' gives the game away anyway.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jan 14, 2013 at 19:44
  • X will be replaced by the real name.
    – shashashamti2008
    Commented Jan 14, 2013 at 21:16
  • Only when he's learnt to write.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jan 16, 2013 at 23:51

6 Answers 6

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You can say I don't know Mr. X personally... and there's nothing informal about it: it's just a statement of fact. You might want to explain a bit more about how you do know him, though: ...but I'm familiar with his work...

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  • +1, while "on a personal basis" is correct, "personally" is much more readable.
    – Jon Hanna
    Commented Jan 14, 2013 at 18:57
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You might say 'I don't know Mr. X in a personal context...'

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"I'm not familiar with Mr. X" would be another option.

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I don't know him myself gives the same meaning.

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It is appropriate to use personally here. You might also wish to consider acquainted.

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If you are writing a recommendation, you will want to avoid saying that all together, and let them read between the lines. Say

While my exposure to Mr. X's work has been limited to...

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