Frustrating English Grammar: Which Is Correct: "in-person" or "in person"?

"In person" and "in-person" are both correct, as long as the the first phrase is used as an adverb and the second phrase is used as an adjective.

Remember that an adverb tells modifies a verb, adding enhancing information such as how or when.

Remember also that a adjective modifes a noun or pronoun by modifying it with information that tells what kind of.

Continue to read below for definitions and examples fopr the use of the adverb in person and the adjective in-person.

IN PERSON

This phrase is an adverb, because it tells how something was done, is being done, or will be done. For example:

I do not trust the market's delivery system, so I am going to the store in person.

How will I go? I will go in person.

Definition from Microsoft Word for Windows, Word 2003 reference databases:

"In person: personally rather than being represented by somebody or something else."

As described by WordNet® 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University.

adverb: in the flesh; without involving anyone else; "I went there personally"; "he appeared in person"

Synonym

A synonym for "in person" is personally. Another could be myself.

From The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Also, in the flesh. In one's physical presence, as in

He applied for the job in person, or

I couldn't believe it, but there she was, in the flesh.

The first expression dates from the mid-1500s. The variant, from the 1300s, was long used to allude to the bodily resurrection of Jesus, but later acquired its looser meaning. Charles Dickens has it in Our Mutual Friend (1865):

"The minutes passing on, and no Mrs. W. in the flesh appearing."

IN-PERSON

This hyphenated word is definitely an adjective. Many adjectives are hyphenated words, but writing guides caution us from using too many hyphenated words as adjectives and against stringing many words together as a single hypenated-word adjective. For example - " a thicker-than-thread-but-thinner than-rope" cord. Usually, we have an English word that means the same things as the string of words connected with hyphens, although not always; and the long string can be used for comic effect as needed.

As given by WordNet® 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University.

adjective: an appearance carried out personally in someone else's physical presence; "he carried out the negotiations in person"; "a personal appearance is an appearance by a person in the flesh"

Synonym

A synonym for "in-person" is personal.

PERSON

What is a person in the English language?

Reference: Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Person - noun

Definitions

1. Biology: a human being, whether man, woman, or child: The autombile seats 6 persons. NOTE: Many Native American groups denote all living creatures to be persons; e.g. frog people (frogs), butterfly people, etc., including animals not recognized as clan symbols.

2. Biology: a human being as distinguished from an animal or a thing.

3. Sociology: a single human being, especially in regard to that person's social relationships and behavioral patterns as taught by the culture.

4. Philosophy: a self-conscious or rational being. This implies sentience.

5. The self or individual personality of a human being:

You ought not to generalize, but to consider the person you are dealing with.

6. The body of a living human being, sometimes including clothing:

He had no money on his person.

7. The external part of the body: She is beautiful. Her person is beautiful.

8. A character or role in literature or in film.

9. An individual of distinction or importance (see Personage, below).

10. A person not entitled to social recognition or respect. (More like a non-person.)

11. Law: a human being (a natural person) or a group of human beings, a corporation, a partnership, an estate, or other recognized legal entity (an artificial person or juristic person) having legal rights and duties. In 2011, corporations as people became a protest point with the movement known as Occupy Wall Street.

12. Grammar. In many languages, a concept applied to indicate the difference between the speaker of a statement and those to or about whom they speak. In English Grammar, we have three persons in the pronouns:

First Person is I and we, Second Person is you, and Third Person is he, she, it, and they. Rules for using them with verbs can be confusing.

13. Theology: any of the three manisfestatons of the Holy Trinity of Christian denominations: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Idioms

• To be one's own person (in charge of oneself), to be free from restrictions, controls, or orders:

Now that she's moved to college, she feels more like her own person (own boss).

• In person, in one's own bodily presence; personally:

Come to the box office at 8:00 PM in person to purchase a concert ticket.

Synonyms

Person, individual, and personage are used to reference human beings.

Person is the most commonly used reference word:an average person.

Individual is a single human being alone or one member of a larger group.

Personage is used (sometimes ironically) of an outstanding or illustrious person (especially English translations of Asian literature): The Emperor is a dstinguished personage.

Note: Party can also mean an individual person, especially in contract law.