Per se is the correct spelling when you mean “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” The phrase comes from Latin and is used in English to describe something considered on its own. Per say is a common misspelling caused by the way per se sounds when spoken. For correct writing, always use per se.
Key Takeaways
- Per se is the correct spelling of the Latin expression.
- Per say is a common spelling mistake when used with the intended meaning of per se.
- The phrase means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “considered on its own.”
- It is useful in everyday conversation, professional emails, and academic writing.
- Remember the spelling by connecting per se with the idea of something in itself.
Is It Per Say or Per Se?
The correct expression is per se, not per say.
People often confuse these spellings because they sound almost identical in spoken English. When someone hears the phrase in a conversation, they may naturally write per say because the final part sounds like the English word “say.”
However, the expression comes from Latin, so its spelling remains per se. It is not a choice between two acceptable versions of the same phrase. When you want to express the meaning “in itself,” use per se.
Compare these examples:
| Sentence | Correct? |
|---|---|
| The movie wasn’t bad per se. | Correct |
| The movie wasn’t bad per say. | Incorrect |
| I’m not against the idea per se. | Correct |
| I’m not against the idea per say. | Incorrect |
In the first example, the speaker does not consider the movie bad in itself. Perhaps the story was good, but the ending was disappointing.
In the third example, the speaker is not necessarily opposed to the idea itself. They may have concerns about how it will be carried out.
Quick rule: If you mean “in itself,” write per se.
What Does Per Se Mean?
Per se means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” It describes something considered independently, without automatically including its surrounding circumstances or related effects.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, per se is an adverbial expression meaning “by or of itself.”
Here are three simple ways to understand it:
- By itself: Consider something independently of other things.
- In itself: Focus on the thing’s own nature or qualities.
- Intrinsically: Describe something as it is inherently, rather than because of outside circumstances.
For example:
“Working late isn’t bad per se, but doing it every night can leave you exhausted.”
This sentence does not suggest that working late is always good or always bad. Instead, it separates the act itself from the possible consequences of doing it too often.
Another example is:
“Social media isn’t harmful per se; it depends on how people use it.”
Here, the speaker is saying that social media is not automatically harmful simply because it exists. Its effects may depend on how someone uses it.
The Latin Origin of Per Se
Per se comes from Latin. The expression is commonly translated as “by itself” or “in itself.” It has become an established expression in English and retains its traditional spelling.
This origin helps explain why per say is incorrect. The word say is an English verb, but it does not represent the original Latin expression.
You do not need to know Latin to use the phrase correctly. Simply remember that per se is a fixed expression with a particular spelling and meaning.
Per Se vs. Per Say: Key Differences
Although the two expressions sound alike, their written forms have different statuses.
| Feature | Per Se | Per Say |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Correct | Incorrect for the intended expression |
| Origin | Latin | Phonetic misspelling |
| Meaning | By itself or in itself | No standard meaning as this expression |
| Pronunciation | Commonly pronounced “pur SAY” | Often intended to sound the same |
| Standard usage | Accepted English expression | Should be corrected to per se |
| Best choice | Use it when appropriate | Avoid it when meaning “in itself” |
The main difference is not pronunciation. It is spelling and meaning.
If you are writing an essay, sending an email, creating a social media post, or preparing a business report, choose per se when you need this expression.
How to Use Per Se in a Sentence
The easiest way to learn per se is to see how it works in different situations. It often appears after the word or idea being qualified, particularly when a speaker wants to avoid making a broad judgment.
Everyday Examples
Here are some natural examples of per se in everyday English.
- The restaurant isn’t expensive per se, but the drinks cost a lot.
- I don’t dislike exercise per se; I just prefer outdoor activities.
- The book isn’t boring per se, but the first few chapters are slow.
- I’m not against online shopping per se.
- Living alone isn’t difficult per se, but it takes some planning.
- The weather isn’t bad per se, but it’s too cold for a picnic.
- He isn’t unfriendly per se; he’s simply quiet around new people.
Each sentence separates a general idea from a particular detail or circumstance.
For example, saying that a restaurant isn’t expensive per se does not mean that every item is affordable. It means that the restaurant is not necessarily expensive in itself, although certain costs may be high.
Professional and Academic Examples
The expression can also be useful in professional, business, and academic settings. However, it may sound unnecessarily formal when a simpler phrase would communicate the same idea.
Consider these examples:
- Business: The proposal isn’t unreasonable per se, but the budget needs further review.
- Education: Memorization isn’t ineffective per se, but students also need to understand the material.
- Technology: The software isn’t difficult per se; the installation instructions are unclear.
- Research: The method isn’t unreliable per se, although its limitations must be considered.
- Workplace communication: Remote work isn’t a problem per se, but communication between teams needs improvement.
Notice that per se often appears in sentences containing but. The expression helps narrow the first statement before the writer introduces a qualification.
You can use it this way when you want to be precise rather than make an overly broad judgment.
Why Do People Confuse Per Se and Per Say?
There are several straightforward reasons why people write per say instead of per se.
1. They sound alike.
In common English pronunciation, per se sounds like “per say.” Someone who has heard the expression but has not seen it written may choose the wrong spelling.
2. The phrase comes from Latin.
Unlike familiar English expressions, per se does not follow the spelling pattern that some writers expect when they hear the word “say.”
3. People write what they hear.
This is a common cause of spelling mistakes. When a word or expression is unfamiliar, people sometimes use a spelling that matches its sound.
4. Spellcheck may not explain the meaning.
A spelling checker may flag per say, but even when a tool identifies an error, understanding the original phrase helps prevent the same mistake in the future.
The solution is simple: learn the meaning alongside the spelling. Once you connect per se with “in itself,” you will have a reliable way to recognize the correct form.
Synonyms and Alternatives to Per Se
Although per se is correct, you do not always need to use it. Several alternatives may sound clearer or more natural, especially in everyday writing.
| Alternative | Example |
|---|---|
| In itself | The idea isn’t bad in itself. |
| By itself | The tool isn’t dangerous by itself. |
| In and of itself | The change isn’t a problem in and of itself. |
| Intrinsically | The task isn’t intrinsically difficult. |
| As such | It isn’t a formal rule as such. |
| Necessarily | A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. |
These alternatives are related, but they are not interchangeable in every sentence.
For example, necessarily usually communicates that something does not automatically follow from another fact. Meanwhile, per se emphasizes the nature of the thing being discussed.
Choose the alternative that best expresses your intended meaning. In many everyday sentences, “in itself” is the simplest substitute.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Keep these points in mind when writing the expression.
- Writing “per say”: Replace it with per se when you mean “in itself.”
- Assuming the phrase means “to say something”: It does not serve as a substitute for the English verb say.
- Using it without a clear purpose: If “in itself” communicates your meaning more clearly, use that instead.
- Treating it as an absolute judgment: Saying something is not bad per se does not mean it can never be bad in any situation.
- Overusing it in formal writing: A precise expression is useful, but simple language is often easier to understand.
An Easy Trick to Remember the Correct Spelling
Use the “in itself” test.
Read your sentence and replace per se with “in itself.” If the sentence still makes sense, per se is probably the expression you want.
For example:
“The plan isn’t unreasonable per se.”
Becomes:
“The plan isn’t unreasonable in itself.”
The meaning remains similar, so per se works.
Remember that se belongs to the Latin expression. Do not replace it with the English word say just because the two sound alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it per say or per se?
Per se is correct when you mean “by itself” or “in itself.” Per say is a common misspelling of this expression. Use per se in essays, emails, professional documents, and everyday writing whenever it fits the sentence.
2. What does per se mean in simple English?
It means “by itself” or “in itself.” For example, “The job isn’t difficult per se, but the schedule is demanding” means the job itself isn’t necessarily difficult, even though the schedule creates a challenge.
3. Is per say ever correct?
Not when you intend to use the Latin expression meaning “in itself.” In standard English writing, use per se. The words per and say can appear separately in other grammatical contexts, but that does not make per say a correct spelling of the expression.
4. Is per se formal or informal?
Per se is often considered relatively formal, but it also appears in everyday conversation. It is appropriate in professional and academic writing when it adds precision. In casual messages, phrases such as “in itself” or “by itself” may sound more natural.
5. What is another word for per se?
Depending on the sentence, alternatives include “in itself,” “by itself,” “intrinsically,” and “in and of itself.” These expressions have slightly different uses, so choose one that preserves the intended meaning rather than replacing the phrase automatically.
6. How do you pronounce per se?
In American English, per se is commonly pronounced “pur SAY.” This pronunciation explains why some people mistakenly write per say. The spelling remains per se, regardless of how the phrase sounds.
Conclusion
When deciding between per say or per se, remember that per se is the correct expression. It comes from Latin and means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” The incorrect spelling per say is easy to understand because both versions sound alike, but pronunciation does not determine the standard spelling.
Use per se when you want to discuss something on its own, without automatically including other circumstances or effects. For example, “The idea isn’t bad per se, but it needs improvement” communicates a more precise judgment than simply calling the idea good or bad.
If you ever feel unsure, replace the phrase with “in itself.” When that substitution makes sense, per se is usually the spelling you need. A small spelling correction can make your writing clearer, more accurate, and more professional.
