Per Say or Per Se? Which Is Correct

Many people have wondered whether saying per say is correct, and the confusion around it is surprisingly common. The real phrase is actually per se, a Latin term that carries the meaning of “by itself” or “in itself.” I’ve noticed in both casual speech and formal writing that people often mistakenly write per say, which is grammatically incorrect in English. 

This article aims to clear up this confusion and explain the origin of Per Se, showing how to use it properly in sentences.

When you want to isolate the true nature of something, per se is the right choice. It differs from other phrases like necessarily or so to speak, though some synonyms can sometimes be used depending on context. 

In my experience, understanding the origin and proper usage of Per Se helps avoid misuses and ensures your writing feels precise and natural.

Why “Per Say” Confuses So Many English Speakers

You might have seen sentences like:

“That’s not wrong per say.”

or

“Per say, this is acceptable.”

These may seem harmless, but “per say” is always incorrect. The correct form is “per se”. The confusion comes from how the phrase sounds. English speakers often hear “se” pronounced like “say,” which leads to the widespread misspelling.

Understanding why this happens is the first step to avoiding the mistake. When you recognize the origin and precise meaning, you can use the phrase confidently and correctly.

What Does “Per Se” Actually Mean?

At its core, per se means “by itself” or “in itself.” It describes the intrinsic nature of something without considering external factors.

For example:

• “The movie isn’t bad per se, but the plot is predictable.”

Here, per se signals that the movie’s quality is being judged independently of other factors, like acting or soundtrack.

Term	Meaning	Example
Per se	In itself, intrinsically	“The plan isn’t illegal per se, but it’s risky.”
Necessarily	Inevitably, certainly	“That decision isn’t necessarily the best choice.”

Notice how per se focuses on the essence of something, while necessarily points to certainty or inevitability.

The Latin Origins and Evolution of “Per Se”

Per se comes directly from Latin:

• “per” = by
• “se” = itself

The phrase literally means “by itself.” Latin has influenced English for centuries, especially in legal, philosophical, and scientific contexts. Phrases like per capita, per annum, and per diem are similar in structure and purpose.

Historically, English writers adopted per se to express precision or philosophical nuance. You’ll still find it in legal texts, scholarly writing, and careful journalistic analysis.

Example from historical text:

“The act is not unlawful per se, but the circumstances may render it so.”

This shows the original intent: judging the essence independently of surrounding factors.

“Per Say” – Why People Spell It Wrong

You might be wondering why “per say” is so common. The reasons include:

• Mishearing the pronunciation – “se” in Latin sounds like “say.”
• Informal speech – People repeat what they hear without checking spelling.
• Typing habits – Autocorrect or phonetic guesses contribute to the spread of errors.

Important fact: No major English dictionary recognizes per say. It’s always a mistake, not an acceptable variant.

Correct Usage of “Per Se” in Sentences

Using per se correctly adds precision and sophistication to your language. Here’s how:

• In everyday conversation:
  “The software isn’t bad per se, but it’s hard to use.”
• In professional writing:
  “This approach is not inefficient per se, but it may not scale well.”
• In academic or legal contexts:
  “The action does not constitute fraud per se, though intent must be considered.”

Quick comparison table:

Incorrect	Correct
“Per say, this is fine.”	“Per se, this is fine.”
“That’s not bad per say.”	“That’s not bad per se.”
“Per say, it works.”	“Per se, it works.”

Notice how per se always comes before the statement it qualifies, and the sentence remains smooth and clear.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after knowing the correct spelling, writers often trip over usage. Here are frequent errors and tips to fix them:

• Using it as a filler:
  Wrong: “Well, per se, I don’t mind.”
  Correct: Only use it when clarifying the essence of something.
• Confusing it with “necessarily”:
  Wrong: “This isn’t dangerous per se, but you could get hurt.” (needs context)
  Correct: “This isn’t dangerous per se, though caution is advised.”
• Overusing it:
  Using per se in every other sentence makes writing sound stiff or pretentious. Use it sparingly for emphasis.

Do’s and Don’ts checklist:

• Do: Use it to describe intrinsic quality.
• Don’t: Replace “necessarily” with it.
• Do: Place it close to the noun or concept it modifies.
• Don’t: Start every sentence with it in casual writing.

Synonyms and Substitutes for “Per Se”

Sometimes you may want a more natural or less formal alternative. Here’s a quick guide:

Synonym	Best Use	Example
In itself	Everyday English	“The idea isn’t bad in itself, but it needs work.”
By itself	Casual speech	“The device is simple by itself, but the setup is complex.”
Essentially	Emphasizing core meaning	“The plan is essentially sound, though some adjustments are needed.”
As such	Formal or academic	“The policy is not enforceable as such, but it sets a standard.”

Choosing the right synonym can make your writing sound more natural while keeping your meaning intact.

“Per Se” vs. “Necessarily” – Subtle but Important Difference

Many confuse per se with necessarily, but they serve different purposes.

• Per se = judging intrinsic quality:
  “The technique is not harmful per se, but improper use can be dangerous.”
• Necessarily = indicating inevitability or certainty:
  “Improper use will necessarily cause problems.”

By understanding the nuance, your sentences become precise, avoiding misinterpretation.

“Per Se” vs. “So to Speak” – Different Purposes, Different Feel

Another confusing phrase is “so to speak.” Unlike per se, which conveys literal essence, so to speak signals a figurative or metaphorical meaning.

• Per se: “The evidence is not conclusive per se, but it raises questions.”
• So to speak: “He’s a walking encyclopedia, so to speak.”

Mixing these phrases can distort meaning, so use them according to their true purpose.

Everyday Examples: How Native Speakers Use “Per Se”

Looking at real-world examples helps cement proper usage:

• Business:
  “The policy isn’t restrictive per se, but it limits flexibility.”
• Media:
  “The film isn’t bad per se, though the storyline is weak.”
• Social media / casual:
  “It’s not wrong per se to ask, but timing matters.”

Case Study: On Twitter, users frequently type “per say” in comments. Linguists note this shows the strong influence of phonetic spelling, but it’s not correct. Promoting the correct usage helps maintain clarity and professionalism.

“Is Used” vs. “Has Been Used” vs. “Was Used” – Understanding the Correct Usage

Tips to Remember the Correct Form (“Per Se”)

Pronunciation and memory tricks make per se easier to master:

• Pronounce it as “pur say” — two syllables.
• Mnemonic: Think “by itself”, which mirrors the literal Latin meaning.
• Visualize it: Imagine something isolated, like a single apple in a basket — per se it is just the apple, independent of the basket.

These tricks stick better than rote memorization and reduce errors in both writing and speech.

Enhancing Your English with “Per Se”

Mastering small Latin-origin phrases like per se strengthens your writing precision and vocabulary sophistication. It allows you to express subtle distinctions, such as evaluating the intrinsic quality of something independently of external factors.

Using it naturally demonstrates attention to detail and elevates communication without sounding pretentious — a small but powerful tool in your language toolkit.

Summary: The Final Verdict on “Per Say” vs. “Per Se”

• Per se is correct; per say is always wrong.
• It means “by itself” or “in itself” — focusing on the essence of something.
• Common mistakes include using it as a filler, confusing it with “necessarily,” or overusing it.
• Proper placement, sparing use, and understanding synonyms improve both writing and speech.

Remember, language is precise, and small phrases like per se make a noticeable difference in clarity and credibility.

Conclusion

In short, the real phrase is per se, not per say. Many have wondered about its correct usage, and the confusion is common. This Latin term means “by itself” or “in itself” and is used to isolate the true nature of something. Using it properly in sentences avoids misuses and keeps your English grammatically correct. Remember, it differs from other expressions like necessarily or so to speak, though synonyms may sometimes apply in context.

FAQs

Q1: Is “per say” correct?

No, the correct phrase is per se. Using per say is grammatically incorrect in English.

Q2: What does “per se” mean?

Per se is a Latin term meaning “by itself” or “in itself,” often used to isolate the true nature of something.

Q3: Can “per se” be used in casual writing?

Yes, per se can be used in both casual speech and formal writing, as long as it is used properly to clarify meaning.

Q4: Are there any synonyms for “per se”?

Yes, depending on context, phrases like “essentially” or “intrinsically” can serve as synonyms, but they differs slightly in nuance from per se.

Q5: Why do people mistakenly use “per say”?

Many people are unsure of the origin and meaning of the Latin term, leading to misuses in everyday English.