Have you ever written “per say” because that is exactly how “per se” sounds? You are not alone. This is a common spelling mistake because the phrase is usually pronounced like “pur say,” which makes the incorrect form feel natural.
The correct spelling is per se. It is a Latin phrase that means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” The form per say is not correct when you mean this expression.
People often search for “per se or per say” when writing emails, essays, reports, academic papers, or professional documents. The confusion is simple: se sounds like the English word say in common pronunciation.
Once you understand the meaning and Latin origin of per se, the spelling becomes much easier to remember. This guide explains the difference, gives clear examples, and shows which form you should use in British, American, and international English.
Per Se or Per Say – Quick Answer
Per se is the correct spelling.
Per say is an incorrect spelling caused mainly by pronunciation.
Per se means “in itself,” “by itself,” or “as such.” It is used when you want to talk about something on its own, without considering related factors.
Examples
- The idea is not bad per se, but it needs more work.
- I do not dislike the job per se; I just dislike the long hours.
- The movie was not boring per se, but it was too slow.
- Social media is not harmful per se; how people use it matters.
❌ The idea is not bad per say.
✅ The idea is not bad per se.
Merriam-Webster defines per se as meaning “by, of, or in itself” and traces it to Latin.
The Origin of Per Se
Per se comes directly from Latin. The phrase literally means “by itself” or “in itself.” In Latin, per can mean “by” or “through,” while se refers to “itself” or another reflexive form.
The phrase entered English as a Latin expression and has kept its original spelling. Merriam-Webster records its first known English use as an adverb in 1574.
So why does per say appear so often?
The main reason is pronunciation. In modern English, per se is commonly pronounced something like “per say.” When people hear a phrase before seeing it written, they may naturally spell it according to its sound.
This is known as a phonetic spelling mistake. The same problem occurs with many borrowed words and phrases.
The key point is simple:
Per se is the original Latin spelling. Per say is a spelling based on pronunciation.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no British-versus-American spelling difference here.
Both British English and American English use per se. The phrase remains two separate words in both varieties of English.
| English variety | Correct form | Incorrect form |
|---|---|---|
| American English | per se | per say |
| British English | per se | per say |
| Canadian English | per se | per say |
| Australian English | per se | per say |
| International English | per se | per say |
Unlike words such as color/colour or organize/organise, per se does not change spelling based on country.
Examples in both varieties
American English:
The policy is not unfair per se, but it could be improved.
British English:
The policy is not unfair per se, but it could be improved.
The spelling and basic meaning remain the same.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use per se regardless of whether your audience is American, British, Canadian, Australian, or international.
For American readers
Write:
The product is not expensive per se, but shipping costs are high.
Avoid:
The product is not expensive per say.
For British and Commonwealth readers
The same rule applies:
The proposal is not unreasonable per se.
You do not need to change the phrase to match British spelling.
For global audiences
Per se is widely understood in formal and professional English. However, if you are writing for beginners or a very general audience, “in itself” may be clearer.
For example:
- Formal: The idea is not wrong per se.
- Simple: The idea is not wrong in itself.
Both express a similar idea.
Common Mistakes with Per Se or Per Say
Here are some of the most common mistakes.
1. Writing “per say”
❌ The plan is not bad per say.
✅ The plan is not bad per se.
This is the most common mistake.
2. Writing “per-se”
❌ The product is useful per-se.
✅ The product is useful per se.
The standard form is written as two separate words.
3. Writing “perse”
❌ The argument is not wrong perse.
✅ The argument is not wrong per se.
Perse can appear as a separate English word with other meanings, but it is not the correct spelling of this Latin phrase.
4. Using it when you mean “really”
Per se does not simply mean “really,” “actually,” or “very.”
For example:
❌ She is per se talented.
This may not express the intended meaning.
Instead, use it when you are considering something in itself.
✅ The design is not difficult per se, but the software is hard to use.
Per Se in Everyday Examples
You can find per se in many types of writing, especially professional, academic, legal, and everyday discussions.
In emails
I do not have an issue with the proposal per se, but we need more time to review it.
In business writing
The product is not expensive per se, but its maintenance costs are high.
In academic writing
The method is not unreliable per se, although the sample size is limited.
In news writing
The decision was not controversial per se, but the timing attracted criticism.
On social media
I don’t hate Mondays per se. I just hate waking up early.
In formal writing
The regulation does not prohibit the activity per se; it limits how the activity may be conducted.
The phrase is especially useful when you want to make your statement more precise rather than making a broad claim.
Per Se or Per Say – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest around “per se or per say” exists because many people know the phrase from speech but are unsure how to spell it.
The strongest source of confusion is pronunciation: per se sounds very close to “per say.” Dictionary and grammar resources consistently identify per se as the standard form.
Searches can come from many English-speaking regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other countries where English is widely used. Interest is usually tied to writing questions, grammar checks, academic work, and professional communication rather than to a particular regional spelling.
Importantly, there is no separate American or British trend spelling. If you search for the phrase in either variety, the recommended spelling remains per se.
Because Google Trends values can change by date, country, and search setting, exact popularity figures should be checked for the specific time period being studied rather than treated as permanent statistics.
Per Se vs. Per Say: Comparison Table
| Variation | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| per se | ✅ Yes | In itself; by itself | The idea is not bad per se. |
| per say | ❌ No | No standard meaning in this phrase | Do not use this spelling. |
| per-se | ❌ No | Incorrect formatting | Avoid the hyphen. |
| perse | ❌ No for this phrase | Not the standard phrase | Write per se instead. |
| in itself | ✅ Yes | Similar meaning | The idea is not bad in itself. |
| by itself | ✅ Yes | Similar meaning in many contexts | The device works by itself. |
FAQs About Per Se or Per Say
1. Is it “per se” or “per say”?
Per se is correct. Per say is a common misspelling caused by the way the phrase sounds when spoken.
2. What does “per se” mean?
It means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” It focuses on something considered on its own.
3. Why do people spell “per se” as “per say”?
Because per se is commonly pronounced like “per say.” People may spell the phrase based on what they hear.
4. Is “per se” one word?
No. The standard form is two words: per se.
5. Is “per say” ever correct?
Not when you mean the Latin phrase per se. In standard English, per say is considered a misspelling.
6. Is “per se” formal?
Yes. It is common in formal, academic, professional, legal, and analytical writing. In very simple writing, “in itself” may be easier for readers to understand.
7. Can I use “per se” in everyday conversation?
Yes. It is used in everyday speech as well as formal writing. For example: “I don’t dislike the idea per se; I just don’t like the timing.”
Conclusion
When choosing between per se or per say, the answer is clear: per se is the correct form. Per say is a common spelling mistake caused by the way the phrase sounds when spoken.
The phrase comes from Latin and means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” It is useful when you want to separate something from its surrounding details or effects. For example, “The idea is not bad per se” means that the idea itself is not bad, even if some part of it may cause problems.
There is also no British-versus-American spelling difference. Writers in both varieties should use per se, with a space and no hyphen.
If you ever forget, use this simple memory trick: “se” means itself in the Latin phrase, so write per se—not per say. When writing for a general audience, you can also replace it with “in itself” for greater clarity.
