Many students, ESL learners, and everyday English users get confused about per se vs per say. These two phrases sound almost the same when spoken, which is why people often write the wrong one. You may see “per say” in emails, social media posts, or comments online and wonder if it is correct.
The confusion mainly happens because of pronunciation. When people hear the phrase, it sounds like “per say,” so they write it the way it sounds. However, the correct spelling is different.
Quick Answer: Per Se vs Per Say
Here is the simple explanation:
- Per se – correct phrase
- Per say – incorrect spelling
- Per se meaning: “by itself” or “in itself”
So if you are asking “is per say correct?”, the answer is no.
Example:
Correct:
- The idea is not bad per se, but it needs improvement.
Incorrect:
- The idea is not bad per say.
Origin and Latin Meaning of Per Se
Understanding the per se origin can help you remember the correct spelling.
The phrase comes from Latin. The per se Latin meaning is “by itself” or “through itself.”
Over time, English speakers started using this phrase in conversation and writing. Even today, per se remains a common expression in English.
Because the phrase comes from Latin, its spelling stayed the same. However, the way it sounds caused people to mistakenly write per say.
Remember:
- per se = correct Latin phrase
- per say = common spelling mistake
Per Se Meaning in English
The per se meaning in English is simple. It means something is true by itself, without considering other factors.
People use per se when they want to focus on the main idea alone.
Example:
- The movie is not bad per se, but it is too long.
In this sentence, the movie itself is not the problem. The problem is its length.
This basic idea explains the per se definition clearly.
Pronunciation Guide
One reason for confusion is per se pronunciation.
Pronunciation:
Per se → /pər seɪ/
It sounds like:
“per say”
This is why people often write the phrase incorrectly.
Important rule:
The phrase sounds like “per say,” but it must be written “per se.”
Per Se vs Per Say Difference
Let’s look at the per se vs per say difference clearly.
| Phrase | Meaning | Correct Usage |
| Per se | By itself or inherently | ✅ Correct |
| Per say | No real meaning | ❌ Incorrect |
Key point:
Only per se is a real phrase in English.
When to Use Per Se
Many learners ask when to use per se. The phrase is helpful when you want to explain something clearly by focusing on one idea alone.
Use per se when:
- You want to separate one idea from other factors
- You want to clarify that something itself is not the problem
- You want to express a precise meaning
Examples:
- The product is not expensive per se, but shipping costs are high.
- The class is not difficult per se, but it requires practice.
- The design is not wrong per se, but it needs improvement.
These are simple per se examples in English.
Example Sentences Using “Per Se”
Learning with examples makes understanding easier. Here are more per se example sentences.
- The plan is not bad per se, but it needs better timing.
- The phone is not slow per se, but the apps use too much memory.
- The policy is not harmful per se, but it could cause problems later.
- The food is not unhealthy per se, but eating too much is.
- The job is not stressful per se, but the long hours are tiring.
- The idea is not new per se, but the approach is different.
- The movie is not scary per se, but some scenes are intense.
- The test is not difficult per se, but it is very long.
- The rule is not unfair per se, but it affects some people more.
- The design is not ugly per se, but it feels outdated.
- The book is not boring per se, but it moves slowly.
- The game is not complicated per se, but it takes time to learn.
- The car is not expensive per se, but maintenance costs are high.
- The course is not hard per se, but it requires discipline.
- The software is not bad per se, but it needs updates.
- The teacher is not strict per se, but expectations are high.
- The problem is not technology per se, but how it is used.
- The rule is not confusing per se, but it is poorly explained.
- The company is not failing per se, but profits are dropping.
- The strategy is not risky per se, but it requires careful planning.
Per Se vs As Such
Another common confusion is per se vs as such.
| Phrase | Meaning |
| Per se | By itself |
| As such | In that role or form |
Examples:
- The device is not dangerous per se, but misuse can cause problems.
- He is not a manager as such, but he leads the team.
Both phrases have different meanings, so they should not be mixed.
Per Se Synonyms
Sometimes you can replace per se with simpler expressions.
Common synonyms include:
- by itself
- inherently
- in itself
- naturally
- essentially
Example:
Original:
- The idea is not bad per se.
Similar sentence:
- The idea is not bad in itself.
Common Mistakes People Make
Many learners struggle with the per se grammar rule. Here are the most common mistakes.
Writing “Per Say”
Incorrect:
- The idea isn’t bad per say.
Correct:
- The idea isn’t bad per se.
Using Per Se Too Often
Some writers add per se in every sentence. Use it only when it helps clarify meaning.
Spelling Based on Sound
Because of per se pronunciation, people write what they hear.
Always remember the correct spelling.
Everyday Real Life Examples
Email Example
- Your suggestion is not wrong per se, but we may need more data.
Social Media Example
- The phone isn’t bad per se, but the camera could be better.
School Example
- The assignment is not difficult per se, but it takes time.
News Example
- The policy is not harmful per se, but its effects may create problems.
These examples show per se correct usage in everyday communication.
Simple Learning Trick for Students
Here is an easy memory trick.
Per se = by itself
Think of it like this:
Per → through
Se → self
So the phrase literally means “through itself.”
If you remember this, you will never confuse per se vs per say again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does per se mean?
The per se meaning is “by itself” or “in itself.”
Is per say correct?
No. If you are wondering is per say correct, the answer is no.
How do you use per se in a sentence?
Example of per se in a sentence:
- The problem isn’t the rule per se, but how it is applied.
What language does per se come from?
The per se origin is Latin.
Is per se formal English?
It can be used in both formal writing and everyday speech.
Why do people write per say?
People often write per say because the pronunciation sounds similar.
Can students use per se in essays?
Yes. It is useful in academic writing and essays.
Are there synonyms for per se?
Yes. Words like “by itself” or “in itself” have similar meanings.
Conclusion
The confusion between per se vs per say happens mainly because of pronunciation. Even though the phrase sounds like “per say,” the correct spelling is per se.
The per se meaning is “by itself” or “in itself,” and it comes from Latin. Once you understand the per se vs per say difference, it becomes easy to use the phrase correctly in everyday English.
Whenever you want to express that something is true on its own, remember the correct phrase:
per se never per say.
