If you have ever written “per say” and wondered whether it is correct, the answer is straightforward: the correct expression is “per se.” The spelling “per say” is a common mistake, usually caused by the way per se sounds when spoken.
Per se is a formal expression borrowed from Latin. It means “by itself,” “in itself,” “of itself,” or “as such.” Cambridge Dictionary and Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries both define it in essentially this way.
This small spelling difference matters because per se has a specific meaning and established usage in English. You will often see it in academic writing, business discussions, journalism, professional communication, philosophy, and everyday speech.
In this guide, you will learn exactly what per se means, why per say is incorrect, how to pronounce the phrase, when to use it, where it fits in a sentence, common mistakes to avoid, and several practical examples.
Per Se or Per Say: Quick Answer
Which spelling is correct?
Per se is the correct expression.
Per say is generally an incorrect spelling when you mean “by itself” or “in itself.”
| Expression | Correct? | Meaning |
| per se | Yes | by itself; in itself; as such |
| per say | No | Incorrect spelling of per se |
| perse | Usually no | A different word in specific contexts |
Examples:
- The idea isn’t bad per se, but the execution needs work.
- I’m not against technology per se; I’m concerned about how it is used.
- The problem isn’t the price per se, but the lack of quality.
Memory tip: Think “per se = in itself.” The final word is se, not say.
What Does Per Se Mean?
Definition and basic meaning
Per se is an adverb meaning “by itself,” “in itself,” “of itself,” or “as such.” It is used when you want to consider something on its own, rather than as part of a larger situation.
For example:
The product isn’t expensive per se, but the shipping costs make it costly.
Here, the speaker is separating the product’s price from the total cost. The product itself is not necessarily expensive; other factors make the overall purchase expensive.
Merriam-Webster similarly defines per se as meaning “by, of, or in itself” and notes that it can be used to distinguish something in its narrow sense from the broader situation surrounding it.
Why the distinction matters
The phrase often adds an important qualification to a statement.
Compare:
- I don’t like social media.
- I don’t dislike social media per se; I dislike how some people use it.
The second sentence is more precise. It says that social media itself is not necessarily the problem. The speaker objects to something associated with it.
That is one reason per se is useful in professional and analytical writing: it helps separate an object, idea, activity, or quality from its surrounding circumstances.
Why Is Per Say Incorrect?
The spelling comes from pronunciation
One major reason people write “per say” is that per se is pronounced approximately like “per SAY.” Cambridge gives the pronunciation as /pɜː ˈseɪ/ in British English and /pɝː ˈseɪ/ in American English.
Because the final sound is identical or very close to the English word say, writers who have mainly heard the phrase spoken may naturally spell it as per say.
But pronunciation does not determine the spelling.
The expression comes from Latin, and its established English spelling remains per se. Oxford identifies it as a Latin expression and gives its meaning as “by itself.”
A useful comparison
This is similar to other words and expressions whose spelling cannot be reliably guessed from pronunciation.
For example, someone might hear a phrase and write down what it sounds like. That does not make the resulting spelling standard English.
Correct: The policy isn’t unfair per se.
Incorrect: The policy isn’t unfair per say.
Per Se Meaning and Origin
Where does per se come from?
Per se is a Latin expression. Oxford specifically identifies its word origin as Latin.
The Latin words per se convey the idea of something considered by itself or in itself. English retained the expression as a borrowed phrase rather than translating it into a completely new English word.
This is why per se looks different from ordinary English vocabulary.
Why is it still used in modern English?
Although per se has Latin roots, it is an established English expression. It appears in formal and professional contexts as well as ordinary conversation.
For instance:
- The design isn’t unattractive per se.
- I’m not opposed to remote work per se.
- The argument isn’t wrong per se, but it lacks supporting evidence.
The phrase is especially useful when a writer wants to make a distinction without completely rejecting the original statement.
How to Use Per Se Correctly
Use it to mean “in itself”
The most common pattern is:
[subject] + per se
Examples:
- The job isn’t difficult per se.
- Money isn’t the problem per se.
- The software isn’t complicated per se.
- The rule isn’t unreasonable per se.
In each case, per se tells the reader to focus on the subject in isolation.
Use it to separate an issue from its consequences
Another useful pattern is:
X isn’t the problem per se; Y is the problem.
For example:
The deadline isn’t a problem per se; the short notice is.
The deadline itself is not necessarily unreasonable. The problem is that people were given very little time to prepare.
This construction is particularly useful in workplace, academic, and analytical writing.
Use it after a noun or noun phrase
You can place per se directly after the thing being discussed:
- The policy per se is reasonable.
- The technology per se isn’t dangerous.
- The research per se is valuable.
- The decision per se wasn’t surprising.
You can also use it later in a sentence:
The proposal isn’t unreasonable, per se, but it needs more detail.
Both placements can work, although punctuation and sentence structure should remain natural.
Per Se in Different Types of Writing
Academic writing
Per se can be useful in academic discussions when a researcher needs to distinguish a subject itself from related variables.
Examples:
- The study does not examine technology per se, but its effect on student behavior.
- The method is not unreliable per se, although its limitations must be recognized.
However, academic writers should not use per se simply to make writing sound sophisticated. If “itself” communicates the idea more clearly, itself may be the better choice.
Business and workplace communication
In professional writing, per se can clarify a disagreement:
The proposal isn’t unsuitable per se, but it doesn’t fit our current budget.
This tells the reader that the proposal is not inherently unsuitable. The problem is its financial fit.
A simpler version might be:
The proposal itself isn’t unsuitable, but it doesn’t fit our current budget.
Both are grammatically sound. The second may be clearer for a general audience.
Everyday conversation
People also use per se in speech:
I’m not tired per se; I just need a break.
It’s not a bad restaurant per se, but there are better options nearby.
Because the phrase can sound somewhat formal, “itself” or “exactly” may sometimes feel more natural in casual conversation.
Per Se vs. Itself
Are they interchangeable?
Often, yes—but not always perfectly.
Per se and itself can express a similar idea when you are isolating something from its context.
| Sentence | Meaning |
| The idea isn’t bad per se. | The idea itself isn’t inherently bad. |
| The idea itself isn’t bad. | The idea, considered on its own, isn’t bad. |
The difference is mainly one of style and emphasis.
Per se tends to sound more formal, analytical, or deliberate. Itself is usually simpler and more conversational.
Which should you choose?
Use per se when the phrase fits the tone and helps make a precise distinction.
Use itself when you want maximum clarity and simplicity.
For a general audience, this:
The product itself isn’t defective.
may be easier to understand than:
The product isn’t defective per se.
Neither is automatically better. The context determines the best choice.
Per Se vs. Inherently
Are they exactly the same?
Not quite.
Per se means something like “in itself” or “as such.” It focuses on considering something independently.
Inherently means that a quality exists as a natural or essential part of something.
Consider:
The activity isn’t dangerous per se.
This can mean the activity itself is not necessarily dangerous, although circumstances may make it dangerous.
Compare:
The material is inherently dangerous.
This makes a stronger claim: danger is presented as an essential characteristic of the material.
This distinction is important in professional, academic, and legal contexts.
Common Mistakes With Per Se
Mistake 1: Writing “per say”
Wrong:
The plan isn’t bad per say.
Correct:
The plan isn’t bad per se.
Why it happens: The phrase is pronounced like “per say.”
How to avoid it: Remember that the phrase is borrowed from Latin and is conventionally spelled per se.
Mistake 2: Writing “perse”
Wrong in ordinary usage:
The product isn’t expensive perse.
Correct:
The product isn’t expensive per se.
The two-word spelling is important because per se is a phrase, not normally a single English word in this usage.
Merriam-Webster does list perse as a separate word with other meanings, including an adjective referring to a dark grayish-blue color. That is unrelated to the expression per se.
Mistake 3: Using it when “itself” is clearer
Sometimes writers use per se simply because it sounds formal.
For example:
The instructions themselves are clear.
is often more direct than:
The instructions are clear per se.
The second version may suggest a contrast that the writer has not actually established.
Expert tip: Don’t use per se merely to sound academic. Use it when you genuinely mean “considered by itself.”
Does Per Se Need Italics?
What is the safest style choice?
You may see per se written in italics because it is a Latin expression. However, English style conventions vary, and many modern dictionaries and publications present it in ordinary roman type.
The most important issue is not italics. It is spelling and meaning.
For ordinary web writing, professional communication, and general English, per se is the essential form to remember.
If you are writing for a particular academic journal, publisher, or organization, follow that publication’s style guide.
Does a Comma Go Before Per Se?
Comma placement depends on sentence structure
There is no universal rule that says per se must always have a comma before it.
Compare:
The policy isn’t unfair per se, but it creates other problems.
Here, the comma is connected to the larger sentence structure and the conjunction but.
You may also encounter:
The policy isn’t unfair, per se, but it creates other problems.
The paired commas emphasize per se as an interrupting phrase.
However, punctuation should not be added mechanically. Read the whole sentence and determine whether the phrase is functioning as an integrated part of the sentence or as an aside.
A Simple Decision Guide: Should You Use Per Se?
Ask yourself these questions
Are you trying to say “by itself” or “in itself”?
→ Yes: per se may be appropriate.
Are you only trying to sound more formal?
→ Yes: Use a simpler word such as itself.
Did you hear the phrase and aren’t sure how to spell it?
→ Write per se, not per say.
Are you writing for a general audience?
→ Prefer whichever version is clearer: per se or itself.
Are you discussing something in a specialized legal context?
→ Check the specific legal meaning because per se can have a more technical sense in law. Merriam-Webster’s legal dictionary, for example, uses per se in meanings such as something being inherently or automatically unlawful under a particular legal rule.
Professional Examples of Per Se
Business
The investment isn’t risky per se, but the company’s financial position deserves closer review.
Education
Memorization isn’t harmful per se; the concern is relying on it instead of understanding the material.
Academic writing
The study does not investigate social media per se, but its influence on political communication.
Workplace communication
The new process isn’t inefficient per se, but employees need more training.
Journalism
The issue is not the policy per se, but how it is being implemented.
Everyday conversation
I’m not upset per se; I just need some time alone.
These examples all use the phrase to narrow or qualify a statement rather than simply decorate the sentence.
Memory Tricks for Per Se
The “itself” test
Whenever you are unsure, replace per se with “itself.”
If the sentence still makes sense, per se may be appropriate.
The movie isn’t bad per se.
→ The movie itself isn’t bad.
That works.
The “say” trap
If you are tempted to write per say, remember:
You may say “per se,” but you spell it “per se.”
The sound is “say,” but the spelling is se.
The two-word rule
Think:
per + se = two words
Not:
- per say
- perse
For the ordinary expression meaning “in itself,” write per se.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “per say” ever correct?
Not when you mean the expression “by itself” or “in itself.” In that usage, the standard spelling is per se.
Is per se formal English?
Yes. Cambridge labels per se as formal, although it is also used in ordinary speech and general writing.
How do you pronounce per se?
It is generally pronounced approximately “per SAY.” Cambridge gives British and American pronunciations beginning with /pɜː/ or /pɝː/ and ending in /seɪ/.
Is per se Latin?
Yes. Oxford identifies per se as coming from Latin.
Can I use per se in an essay?
Yes. It can work well in academic writing when you genuinely mean “in itself.” However, don’t use it simply to make your writing sound more sophisticated.
Is “per se” the same as “by itself”?
They can have the same meaning in many sentences. Per se is often used to focus attention on something considered independently.
Is “perse” a word?
Yes, perse exists as a separate dictionary entry with meanings unrelated to the common expression per se. Merriam-Webster, for example, defines perse as a dark grayish-blue color.
Can per se start a sentence?
It is possible, but uncommon. The phrase usually appears after the noun, noun phrase, or statement it qualifies.
Is per se used in legal English?
Yes. Legal English uses per se in technical expressions, including concepts where something is considered inherently or automatically unlawful under a particular rule.
Should per se be italicized?
It depends on the style guide. Modern English usage commonly presents it as per se without requiring italics. Follow the style rules of your publisher, school, journal, or organization when a specific standard applies.
Key Takeaways
- Per se is the correct spelling when you mean “by itself,” “in itself,” or “as such.”
- Per say is a common spelling mistake caused by pronunciation.
- Per se comes from Latin and is an established English expression.
- It is particularly useful when separating something itself from its effects, context, or surrounding circumstances.
- Itself is often a simpler alternative.
- Don’t use per se just to make writing sound formal.
- In legal contexts, per se can have a more specialized meaning.
- Memory trick: The phrase sounds like “per SAY,” but it is spelled per SE.
Editorial Note
The safest approach is simple: when you mean “in itself,” write “per se.” If you are writing for a broad audience and itself sounds more natural, choose itself. Good editing is not about choosing the more sophisticated-looking expression; it is about choosing the clearest accurate one.
References
- Cambridge Dictionary — “per se”: definition, pronunciation, usage, and examples.
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries — “per se”: definition, pronunciation, and Latin origin.
- Merriam-Webster — “per se”: definition, usage guidance, word history, and legal meaning.
- Merriam-Webster Legal — “per se rule”: specialized legal usage.
Conclusion
The choice between “per se” and “per say” is not really a close contest. If you mean “by itself” or “in itself,” the correct form is per se.
The confusion is understandable because the expression is pronounced like “per say.” But once you connect per se with its meaning—“itself”—the spelling becomes much easier to remember.
The simplest rule to carry forward is this: If you can replace the phrase with “in itself,” write “per se,” never “per say.”
David James is an English language enthusiast, writer, and author at StudyNixx, a website dedicated to helping readers understand confusing English words, spelling differences, and commonly mistaken word forms. He focuses on making English language learning simple, practical, and easy to understand.
David is also the author of two books on English language and word usage, where he explores common spelling mistakes, confusing words, and practical ways to improve written English. Through his writing and educational content, he helps students, writers, and everyday English learners choose the right words with confidence.
At StudyNixx, David covers common word comparisons such as summary vs. summery, shiny vs. shiney, spicy vs. spicey, and breached vs. breeched. His goal is to provide clear, useful, and reliable explanations that make English spelling and word usage easier for everyone.