Per se and per say are commonly confused because they sound almost identical. However, per se is the correct expression, while per say is a common misspelling.
Per se is a Latin phrase meaning “by itself,” “in itself” or “intrinsically.” It is used when you want to distinguish something itself from its effects, context or related circumstances.
The job isn’t difficult per se, but the long hours make it challenging.
Per say is not the standard spelling of this expression.
So the simple rule is:
Per se = correct
Per say = incorrect when you mean the Latin expression
Quick Answer
Per se means “in itself” or “by itself.”
I don’t dislike the idea per se; I just don’t think it’s practical.
Per say is a misspelling that usually occurs because per se is pronounced similarly to “per say.”
Remember:
Write: per se ✅
Not: per say ❌
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion is mainly caused by pronunciation.
Per se is commonly pronounced approximately:
per SAY
Because the final word sounds like “say,” people sometimes write:
❌ per say
But the expression comes from Latin, where se means “itself” in this expression.
Therefore, the correct spelling is:
per se
What Does “Per Se” Mean?
Per se means “in itself,” “by itself,” or “considered independently.”
It is used when you’re saying that something isn’t necessarily a problem or quality on its own, even though something associated with it might be.
For example:
The idea isn’t bad per se.
This means:
The idea itself isn’t bad.
The speaker may dislike some aspect of the idea, but the idea in itself isn’t necessarily bad.
Examples of “Per Se”
I don’t hate the job per se; I just hate the commute.
The movie wasn’t boring per se, but it was very slow.
There’s nothing wrong with the plan per se.
I’m not against the idea per se.
Meaning: I’m not opposed to the idea itself.
The restaurant isn’t expensive per se, but the portions are small.
Meaning: The restaurant isn’t inherently or directly expensive, although the overall value may be questionable.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| per se | ✅ Yes | In itself/by itself | It’s not wrong per se. |
| per say | ❌ No | Common misspelling | ❌ It’s not wrong per say. |
When to Use “Per Se”
Use per se when you want to separate a thing itself from something associated with it.
Example 1
I’m not opposed to social media per se.
The speaker isn’t opposed to social media itself, but may have concerns about how it is used.
Example 2
The task isn’t difficult per se.
The task itself isn’t particularly difficult, but perhaps it takes a lot of time.
Example 3
He isn’t a bad person per se.
This means the speaker isn’t saying that the person is inherently bad, although they may have done something questionable.
Examples (10+)
- The idea isn’t bad per se.
- I’m not against change per se.
- The job isn’t difficult per se.
- The movie wasn’t terrible per se.
- There’s nothing wrong with the plan per se.
- I don’t dislike coffee per se.
- The product isn’t expensive per se.
- She isn’t unfriendly per se; she’s just quiet.
- The rule isn’t unfair per se.
- I’m not criticizing him per se.
- The problem isn’t the technology per se.
- The proposal isn’t unreasonable per se.
“Per Se” in Everyday English
Although per se is correct, it can sound somewhat formal or intellectual in casual conversation.
For example:
I don’t dislike him per se.
This is perfectly grammatical, but in everyday speech, you could simply say:
I don’t dislike him exactly.
or:
I don’t dislike him personally.
Depending on the context, natural alternatives include:
- In itself
- By itself
- Exactly
- Essentially
- Intrinsically
- Strictly speaking
“Per Se” vs “In Itself”
These expressions are often interchangeable.
The idea isn’t bad per se.
The idea isn’t bad in itself.
Both mean approximately:
The idea itself isn’t bad.
However, in itself is usually more accessible and conversational, while per se can sound more formal.
“Per Se” vs “By Itself”
These can also overlap, but they aren’t always interchangeable.
Per se focuses on the intrinsic nature of something:
The rule isn’t unfair per se.
By itself often emphasizes independence or lack of assistance:
The machine cannot operate by itself.
You generally shouldn’t automatically substitute one for the other.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing “per say”
❌ The idea isn’t bad per say.
✅ The idea isn’t bad per se.
Per say is a spelling error when you’re referring to this expression.
Mistake 2: Pronouncing it differently because of the spelling
The expression is generally pronounced approximately:
per SAY
The pronunciation may make per say look logical, but the spelling is per se.
Mistake 3: Using “per se” when you simply mean “personally”
These aren’t always equivalent.
I don’t like the restaurant per se.
means roughly:
I don’t dislike the restaurant itself.
But:
I don’t like the restaurant personally.
focuses on the speaker’s personal preference.
Is “Per Se” Formal?
Per se is not exclusively formal, but it tends to sound more formal, precise, or academic than ordinary alternatives such as “in itself.”
You’ll commonly see it in:
- Academic writing
- Legal writing
- Business writing
- Journalism
- Formal discussions
- Analytical writing
It’s also common in everyday speech among people who are comfortable with the expression.
Is “Per Say” Ever Correct?
If you’re trying to use the Latin expression meaning “in itself,” then no.
❌ per say
✅ per se
The phrase per say could theoretically appear as two ordinary English words in a completely unrelated context, but it is not the correct spelling of the expression.
American vs. British English
Per se is standard in both American and British English.
There is no meaningful difference in spelling:
American English: per se ✅
British English: per se ✅
The common mistake per say can occur in both varieties because the phrase is pronounced similarly to “per say.”
Memory Trick
Here’s an easy way to remember it:
Se = itself
Think:
per se = in itself
So when you’re tempted to write per say, remember that you’re not talking about the verb say.
One line memory trick:
If you mean “in itself,” spell it per se.
Final Verdict
Per se is the correct expression.
It is a Latin phrase meaning “in itself,” “by itself” or “intrinsically.”
The idea isn’t bad per se.
Per say is a common misspelling caused by the pronunciation of per se.
Simple rule:
Per se = correct ✅
Per say = incorrect ❌
If you’re writing an article, essay, email, or professional document, always use per se when you mean “in itself.”
FAQs
Is it “per se” or “per say”?
The correct expression is per se.
Per se ✅
Per say ❌
What does “per se” mean?
Per se means “in itself,” “by itself,” or “intrinsically.”
Is “per say” a word?
Per say is not the standard spelling of the expression per se. It is usually a misspelling caused by the similar pronunciation.
How do you pronounce “per se”?
It is generally pronounced approximately “per SAY.”
Is “per se” formal?
It is somewhat more formal or sophisticated than “in itself,” but it is commonly used in both formal and informal speech.
Can I use “per se” in academic writing?
Yes. Per se is commonly used in academic, analytical, legal, and professional writing.
What is another word for “per se”?
Depending on the context, alternatives include “in itself,” “by itself,” “intrinsically,” and “essentially.”
Is “per se” Latin?
Yes. Per se is a Latin expression that literally conveys the idea of “by itself” or “in itself.”
Conclusion
The choice between per se and per say is simple: per se is correct, while per say is normally a misspelling.
Per se means “in itself” and is used to distinguish something itself from its context, effects, or associated circumstances.
The plan isn’t bad per se, but it needs some changes.
Remember This
Per se = in itself
The idea isn’t wrong per se.
Per say = misspelling ❌
Quick rule: If you mean “in itself,” always write per se.
