persoonel vs staff

[Tan Elaine]

Is there any difference between 'personnel' and 'staff'. They appear, to me, to have the same meaning.

Thanks.

 

[Rover_KE]

It depends on the ​CONTEXT.

 

[Barb_D]

Peronnel would look very odd indeed in the 23rd Psalm
Thy rod and thy personnel, they comfort me.

Although... I don't know. Maybe a whole fleet of angels would be comforting. Or terrifying. And what is the collective noun for angels? Flock? Oh - host. Duh.

 

[BobK]

Swarm :-? ;-)

b

 

[CarloSsS]

NOT A TEACHER

In context such as the one below, I don't see any difference between "staff" and "personnel". Nonetheless, I might be wrong on this one.

The personnel of the hospital have been on strike for five days. = The hospital staff have been on strike for five days.

However, there are lots of situations, where either one or the other are the only acceptable option, e.g. "All the military personnel of the base have been evacuated."

 

[englishhobby]

personnel - Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
staff - Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

If you go to the links above, you'll see the difference between personnel and staff in the "military" context.

 

[bhaisahab]

Swarm :-? ;-)

b

Isn't it "flights of angels"?

 

[BobSmith]

Isn't it "flights of angels"?

Sorties?

 

[Tan Elaine]

It depends on the ​CONTEXT.

Thanks, Rover.

Could you please give a few example sentences so that I have a clearer picture of the difference between the words?

 

[konungursvia]

I think of staff as more restrictive than personnel; personnel is anyone on a team on a given day, whereas to be "on staff" you have to be permanent. For example, a US military mission in Iraq might count their personnel for an operation in a way which includes private contractors with former military experience. They would likely not be part of a unit's staff.