Per Se or Per Say: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Have you ever heard someone say “per se” and wondered whether it should be written as per se or per say? This is a common spelling question because both forms sound almost identical when spoken.

The correct expression is per se, not per say, when you mean “in itself,” “by itself,” or “considered on its own.” The phrase comes from Latin and is now used in everyday English, academic writing, professional communication, and legal discussions.

For example, you might say, “The proposal isn’t bad per se, but it needs more detail.” This means the proposal itself isn’t necessarily bad. The problem may be its missing details or the circumstances surrounding it.

The spelling per say is a common misspelling influenced by pronunciation. Once you understand the phrase’s meaning and Latin origin, it’s much easier to remember the correct form.

In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between per se or per say, what the phrase means, how to pronounce it, how to use it in a sentence, and which alternatives can make your writing clearer.

Per Se or. Per Say: Quick Comparison

The main difference is spelling. Per se is the established expression, while per say is a common spelling mistake when someone intends to use the Latin phrase.

Feature	Per se	Per say
Correct spelling	Yes	No, when intended to mean “in itself”
Meaning	In itself; by itself	No standard meaning as a replacement for per se
Origin	Latin	A spelling based on pronunciation
Pronunciation	Commonly “pur SAY”	Usually intended to sound the same
Formal writing	Recommended	Avoid
Everyday English	Correct and widely used	Commonly seen as a misspelling

Is It Per Se or Per Say?

Per se is the correct spelling. It is used when you want to discuss something in itself, rather than its relationship to other things.

For example:

Correct: The rule isn’t unfair per se, but its application can cause problems.
Incorrect: The rule isn’t unfair per say, but its application can cause problems.

The second sentence communicates the intended idea, but the phrase is misspelled. Dictionary.com explicitly identifies per say as a frequent misspelling of per se.

Why Do People Write Per Say Instead of Per Se?

The main reason is pronunciation. In common English speech, per se sounds like “per say.” Someone who has heard the expression but hasn’t seen it written may naturally choose the familiar English word say.

Other factors can contribute to the mistake:

Unfamiliar Latin spelling: Readers may not realize that se comes from Latin.
Sound-based spelling: People often write unfamiliar expressions the way they hear them.
Repeated exposure: Seeing the misspelling online can make it seem familiar.
Limited proofreading: Spell-check tools may not flag every incorrect phrase, especially when both words are valid English words individually.

The solution is simple: connect the phrase with its meaning. If you mean “in itself,” write per se.

Per Se Meaning and Definition

The phrase per se means “in itself,” “by itself,” or “considered alone.” It directs attention to the nature or characteristics of something without automatically including its surrounding circumstances or other factors.

For example:

The job isn’t difficult per se, but the long hours make it exhausting.

Here, per se separates the job’s difficulty from the effect of working long hours. The job itself may not be difficult, but the schedule creates a challenge.

In simple English, think of per se as a way to say, “I’m talking about the thing itself, not everything connected to it.”

What Does Per Se Mean in English?

In English, per se is often used to qualify a statement. It helps a speaker avoid making an overly broad claim.

Consider this sentence:

“The manager isn’t unfriendly per se; she’s simply quiet.”

The speaker isn’t saying that the manager is especially friendly. Instead, the speaker explains that quietness alone doesn’t necessarily mean someone is unfriendly.

Here are more examples:

The product isn’t expensive per se, but delivery costs add up.
I don’t dislike exercise per se; I just prefer outdoor activities.
The painting isn’t unusual per se, although its colors are striking.
The policy isn’t unreasonable per se, but it needs clearer instructions.
The course isn’t difficult per se, but it requires a lot of reading.

In each example, the phrase distinguishes a particular characteristic from another factor that affects the overall judgment.

What Does Per Se Mean by Itself?

The phrase asks readers to consider something on its own. However, it doesn’t always mean that the thing physically exists independently or has no connection to anything else.

For instance, “The color isn’t unattractive per se” means the color itself isn’t necessarily unattractive. The speaker might dislike how it looks with the other colors in a room.

That distinction is important. Per se concerns how something is being considered, not necessarily whether it can exist without outside support.

It can refer to:

A characteristic, such as difficulty or fairness.
An idea, such as a proposal or policy.
An action, such as working late.
An object, such as a painting or product.
A concept considered apart from its individual components or consequences.

Use the surrounding sentence to determine exactly what is being considered on its own.

Per Se Meaning in a Sentence

The meaning becomes clearer when you compare a statement with and without the phrase.

Sentence	What it means
The plan isn’t bad.	The speaker generally considers the plan acceptable.
The plan isn’t bad per se.	The plan itself isn’t necessarily bad, though other factors may be a problem.
The employee isn’t careless.	The speaker denies that the employee is careless.
The employee isn’t careless per se.	The employee may show behaviors that look careless, but carelessness may not describe the person overall.
The painting isn’t interesting.	The speaker doesn’t find the painting interesting.
The painting isn’t interesting per se.	The painting itself may not be especially interesting, though its story or message may be.

Notice that per se often adds a qualification. It narrows the claim instead of simply repeating the same idea.

Is Per Se a Latin Phrase?

Yes. Per se is a Latin phrase that entered English and retained its original spelling. It is commonly translated as “by itself” or “in itself.” Collins traces the phrase to Latin per sē and records its use in English from the sixteenth century.

English has borrowed many Latin expressions. Some remain common in everyday conversation, while others appear mainly in academic, scientific, or legal contexts.

Examples include:

Per se — by itself; in itself.
Et cetera — and other similar things.
Vice versa — with the order or relationship reversed.
Status quo — the existing state of affairs.
Ad hoc — created or arranged for a particular purpose.
De facto — existing in practice, whether or not formally established.

These expressions show how Latin terminology continues to influence modern English.

What Do Per and Se Mean in Latin?

The phrase is commonly explained as “by itself.” In the Latin expression, se is a reflexive pronoun that can mean “itself” or “oneself,” depending on the context. The phrase’s established meaning in English is the most useful guide for everyday writers.

You don’t need to know Latin grammar to use per se correctly. Remember its English meaning and preserve the traditional spelling.

How Did Per Se Become Part of English?

Latin influenced English for centuries, particularly in law, education, philosophy, religion, and scholarship. Writers often borrowed Latin expressions because they were familiar within educated and professional settings.

Over time, some of these expressions became part of ordinary English. Per se is now used outside specialist writing, including conversations about work, entertainment, relationships, products, and everyday opinions.

For example:

“It’s not the exercise per se; it’s finding time for it.”
“The idea works per se, but the instructions are confusing.”
“The problem isn’t the price per se; it’s what you get for that price.”

Although the phrase has a Latin origin, it doesn’t require a formal or academic setting. It can work in normal conversation whenever the intended meaning is clear.

Per Se or. Per Say Pronunciation

In common American English, per se is usually pronounced “pur SAY.” The second part sounds like the English word say, which explains why people sometimes write per say by mistake. Collins lists pronunciations for both British and American English, including forms ending in the sound represented by “say.”

The important distinction is between pronunciation and spelling. A phrase can sound like two familiar English words without being spelled that way.

How Do You Pronounce Per Se?

A practical pronunciation guide is:

Per: Sounds like “pur” in common American pronunciation.
Se: Sounds like “say.”
Together: “Pur SAY.”

Pronunciation varies slightly between speakers and accents. Some American pronunciations may use a different vowel in the first syllable, but the phrase’s spelling remains per se.

Try saying these expressions aloud:

Per se
In itself
By itself

The last two are useful substitutes because they communicate the core meaning of the Latin phrase.

Why Does Per Se Sound Like Per Say?

The confusion occurs because the spoken phrase resembles the English words per say. When people learn expressions through conversation, they may remember the sound before they learn the spelling.

This is a common problem with borrowed phrases and sound-alike expressions. Pronunciation alone doesn’t tell you whether a phrase uses English spelling rules or preserves the spelling of another language.

For example, someone might hear per se in a meeting and later type per say in an email. The intended meaning may be clear, but the spelling is still incorrect for the established expression.

A simple memory rule helps:

If you mean “in itself,” write per se—even though it sounds like “per say.”

Is Per Se One Word or Two?

Per se is written as two separate words.

Correct forms:

Per se
The phrase per se
Not illegal per se

Incorrect forms:

Perse
Persee
Per say, when intended to mean per se

Keep the two words separate and preserve the Latin spelling.

How to Use Per Se in a Sentence

Use per se when you want to consider something in itself, separate from other details that may affect your judgment. It often appears after the word or idea being discussed.

For example:

“The new policy isn’t confusing per se, but the instructions are poorly organized.”

The sentence separates the policy’s basic design from the way its instructions are presented.

Per Se Examples in Everyday English

Here are practical examples of per se in a sentence:

I don’t dislike coffee per se; I just prefer tea.
The movie wasn’t boring per se, but it moved too slowly.
The phone isn’t expensive per se, although its accessories cost a lot.
Working from home isn’t difficult per se; staying focused is the challenge.
The restaurant isn’t bad per se, but the service needs improvement.
The assignment wasn’t complicated per se, but it took several hours.
I don’t disagree with the idea per se; I disagree with how it was introduced.
The neighborhood isn’t noisy per se, but traffic gets loud during rush hour.
The painting isn’t interesting per se, but its message resonates with viewers.
The new system isn’t unreliable per se, although it sometimes needs maintenance.

Each sentence distinguishes the thing itself from another detail, result, or circumstance.

Per Se in Formal Writing

In formal writing, per se can help distinguish a general quality from a specific concern. It’s useful when a writer wants to avoid making an overly broad statement.

For example:

“The proposed change is not ineffective per se; its results depend on how the organization implements it.”

This sentence does not claim that the change always works. It says the change itself isn’t necessarily ineffective, while acknowledging that implementation matters.

Use the phrase when it adds precision. If a simpler expression communicates the same point more clearly, choose the simpler option.

Per Se in Academic Writing

Academic writing often examines ideas, methods, evidence, and results separately. Per se can help clarify which part of an argument the writer is evaluating.

Examples:

The method is not unreliable per se, but the sample size limits the findings.
The theory is not contradictory per se; its assumptions need further explanation.
The data do not demonstrate that the treatment is ineffective per se.
The concept cannot be evaluated per se without considering its defined scope.

Be careful not to use the phrase as a substitute for evidence. It can clarify the scope of a statement, but it cannot prove that the statement is true.

Per Se in Professional Communication

In emails, reports, and workplace discussions, per se can help separate the core issue from practical concerns.

Examples:

The proposal isn’t unreasonable per se, but the timeline is too short.
The organization isn’t opposed to the partnership per se; it needs clearer terms.
The software isn’t difficult per se, but new employees need training.
The expense isn’t the concern per se; the question is whether it fits the budget.

These sentences communicate a measured position. They clarify that the speaker isn’t rejecting the entire idea but has concerns about a particular factor.

For everyday business communication, in itself may sound more natural. Choose the version that your audience can understand most easily.

Per Se in Legal Writing

The expression also appears in legal discussions. A common example is “not illegal per se.” This generally means that something is not inherently or automatically illegal simply because of what it is.

However, the phrase does not settle a legal question on its own. Laws, regulations, jurisdiction, and specific circumstances can affect whether an action is lawful.

For example:

“The activity is not illegal per se, but it may violate a specific regulation under certain circumstances.”

The sentence distinguishes the activity itself from the conditions under which a law might apply. It is an illustrative language example, not legal advice.

When writing about actual legal issues, explain the relevant rule and circumstances rather than relying on per se alone.

Common Mistakes When Using Per Se

Knowing the correct spelling is only part of using the phrase well. Writers can also misuse per se by adding it where it doesn’t fit or using it when they mean something slightly different.

Per Say Spelling Mistake

The most common error is replacing the Latin se with the English word say.

Incorrect sentence	Correct sentence
The plan isn’t bad per say.	The plan isn’t bad per se.
I don’t dislike the idea per say.	I don’t dislike the idea per se.
The policy isn’t unfair per say.	The policy isn’t unfair per se.
The painting isn’t interesting per say.	The painting isn’t interesting per se.
The job isn’t difficult per say.	The job isn’t difficult per se.

In every example, the correction is the same. Write per se when you mean “in itself” or “considered alone.”

Incorrect Use of Per Se

Sometimes a sentence contains the correct spelling but uses the phrase awkwardly.

For example:

Awkward: “I per se went to the store.”
Better: “I went to the store myself.”

The first sentence doesn’t use per se to mean “in itself.” If you mean that you personally completed an action, myself is more appropriate.

Another example:

Awkward: “The company is per se independent.”
Clearer: “The company is independent in its own right.”

The best wording depends on the meaning you want to communicate. Per se is not a general replacement for personally, actually, especially, or definitely.

Using Per Se When a Simpler Phrase Works

Some writers use Latin expressions to make their writing sound more formal. But an unfamiliar phrase can slow readers down if a plain English alternative would work just as well.

Compare these sentences:

Formal: The proposal isn’t unreasonable per se.
Plain: The proposal isn’t unreasonable in itself.

Both can communicate the same idea. The second may be easier for readers who aren’t familiar with Latin expressions.

Use per se when it fits your tone and meaning. Don’t add it simply to make a sentence sound sophisticated.

Per Se Synonyms and Related Expressions

Several English expressions can replace per se in certain sentences. However, they aren’t exact synonyms in every context. The best alternative depends on what you want to emphasize.

Expression	General meaning	Example
In itself	Considered on its own	The rule isn’t unfair in itself.
By itself	Alone or without help	The machine can’t operate by itself.
In and of itself	Considered independently	The result isn’t proof in and of itself.
On its own	Without outside help or influence	The idea can stand on its own.
In its own right	Having independent merit or status	She’s a respected writer in her own right.
Essentially	Basically; in the main	The two plans are essentially similar.
Intrinsically	By the nature of something	The material is intrinsically valuable.
Fundamentally	At the basic level	The two arguments are fundamentally different.
In essence	In its basic nature	In essence, both proposals aim for the same result.
Considered alone	Without including other factors	Considered alone, the figures look promising.

Per Se vs. In Itself

Per se and in itself are often interchangeable when you want to focus on a thing’s nature rather than outside factors.

For example:

The decision isn’t unfair per se.
The decision isn’t unfair in itself.

Both sentences suggest that the decision itself may not be unfair, even if the way it is applied creates problems.

Per Se vs. Essentially

Essentially usually means “basically” or “in the main.” Per se focuses more directly on considering something in itself.

Compare:

“The two proposals are essentially the same.” This means they are basically alike.
“The proposal isn’t unreasonable per se.” This means the proposal itself isn’t necessarily unreasonable.

The words can overlap in some contexts, but they shouldn’t be substituted automatically.

Per Se vs. In Its Own Right

In its own right emphasizes that something has independent value, recognition, or importance.

For example:

“She became a successful artist in her own right.”

This means she achieved success based on her own abilities or merits. Replacing the phrase with per se would change the meaning or make the sentence awkward.

Use per se for a thing considered on its own. Use in its own right when you want to emphasize independent merit or status.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling of Per Se

The easiest way to remember the phrase is to connect its spelling with its meaning.

Per se = in itself.

Keep the final word as se, even though it sounds like “say.” The phrase comes from Latin, so spelling it according to the English word say creates the mistake.

Try these simple steps when proofreading:

Search your document for “per say.”
Replace it with “per se” if you intended the Latin expression.
Check whether the phrase makes sense in the sentence.
Consider using “in itself” if the sentence feels too formal.
Read the sentence again to make sure the meaning is clear.

A quick memory test can also help:

Which sentence is correct?

A. The idea isn’t bad per say.
B. The idea isn’t bad per se.

The correct answer is B.