Per Se vs Per Say: What’s the Difference, Meaning

Many English learners and even native speakers get confused by per se vs per say because they sound exactly the same.

Since the phrase is usually heard in conversations rather than read, people often assume the spelling is per say, when the correct form is actually per se.

Understanding per se vs per say is important if you want to write professionally and avoid a common spelling mistake.

In this guide, you’ll learn the meaning of per se, why per say is incorrect, real-life examples, grammar tips, memory tricks, and common mistakes so you can use the phrase confidently.

Quick Answer

Per se is the correct spelling and means “by itself” or “in itself.”

Per say is a common misspelling caused by pronunciation. Always use per se in both formal and informal writing.

Per Se vs Per Say Comparison Table

Feature	Per Se	Per Say
Correct spelling	✅ Yes	❌ No
Meaning	By itself; in itself	No meaning in English
Origin	Latin	Misspelling
Used in dictionaries	Yes	No
Suitable for formal writing	Yes	No
Common in speech	Yes	Often heard due to mishearing

What Does Per Se Mean?

Per se is a Latin phrase that literally means “by itself” or “in itself.”

It is used when something is being discussed independently, without considering other related factors.

Examples

• Money is not bad per se.
• The plan isn’t impossible per se.
• Technology isn’t harmful per se; misuse causes problems.
• The policy isn’t unfair per se, but it could be improved.

In every example, per se means “in itself.”

What Does Per Say Mean?

Per say is not a correct English expression.

People usually write per say because that’s how per se sounds when spoken.

Example

❌ The proposal isn’t wrong per say.

✅ The proposal isn’t wrong per se.

Whenever you see per say, replace it with per se.

Per Se vs Per Say: Key Differences

Aspect	Per Se	Per Say
Correctness	Correct	Incorrect
Dictionary entry	Yes	No
Language origin	Latin	None
Meaning	By itself	No meaning
Appropriate in essays	Yes	No
Recommended usage	Always	Never

Why Do People Confuse Per Se and Per Say?

Several reasons explain this common mistake.

1. They Sound the Same

Both expressions are pronounced almost identically.

2. Latin Origin

Since per se comes from Latin, many people have never seen it written.

3. Learning by Listening

People who first hear the phrase naturally assume it is spelled per say.

4. Autocorrect Doesn’t Always Help

Some writing tools fail to flag per say, allowing the mistake to remain.

Grammar and Usage Rules

Although per se is a foreign phrase, it functions as an adverbial expression in English.

Grammar Forms Table

Grammar Point	Rule	Example
Part of speech	Adverbial phrase	It’s not dangerous per se.
Capitalization	Lowercase in normal sentences	The issue isn’t per se illegal.
Italics	Optional in modern English	The plan isn’t per se impossible.
Plural form	None	Not applicable
Hyphen	Never	Write “per se,” not “per-se.”

When Should You Use Per Se?

Use per se whenever you mean:

• By itself
• In itself
• Intrinsically
• Essentially
• Considered alone

Examples

• Exercise isn’t exhausting per se.
• Coffee isn’t unhealthy per se.
• Online learning isn’t ineffective per se.
• Artificial intelligence isn’t dangerous per se.

Real-Life Examples

Business

“The company’s strategy isn’t flawed per se, but execution needs improvement.”

Education

“Memorization isn’t bad per se if combined with understanding.”

Science

“The chemical isn’t toxic per se, but excessive exposure is harmful.”

Healthcare

“The medicine isn’t risky per se when used correctly.”

Technology

“Social media isn’t harmful per se; excessive use creates problems.”

Everyday Conversation

“I’m not against travel per se—I just prefer staying home.”

Industry Usage Table

Industry	Example Sentence
Business	The marketing strategy isn’t ineffective per se.
Education	Exams aren’t unfair per se.
Medicine	The treatment isn’t dangerous per se.
Law	The action wasn’t illegal per se.
Science	The compound isn’t unstable per se.
Technology	AI isn’t harmful per se.

Similar Expressions

Sometimes these phrases can replace per se, depending on context.

Expression	Meaning
In itself	Nearly identical
By itself	Very close meaning
Intrinsically	Naturally
Essentially	Fundamentally
Alone	Without other factors

Common Mistakes

Incorrect vs Correct Sentences

Incorrect	Correct
It isn’t bad per say.	It isn’t bad per se.
The idea isn’t wrong per say.	The idea isn’t wrong per se.
Social media isn’t harmful per say.	Social media isn’t harmful per se.
Exercise isn’t difficult per say.	Exercise isn’t difficult per se.
The rule isn’t unfair per say.	The rule isn’t unfair per se.

Memory Trick

Remember this simple phrase:

“Per SE = Standalone Essence.”

Think of SE as “self” or “itself.”

Since per se means “by itself,” you’ll remember the correct spelling.

Another easy trick:

• Per Se = Correct
• Per Say = Sounds Right but Wrong

How to Avoid This Mistake

Process Table

Step	Action
Step 1	Hear the phrase carefully.
Step 2	Remember it comes from Latin.
Step 3	Spell it as per se.
Step 4	Replace “per say” whenever you see it.
Step 5	Proofread your writing before publishing.

Per Se in Professional Writing

Professional writers, editors, lawyers, academics, and journalists regularly use per se because it expresses a precise meaning.

Examples include:

• Legal documents
• Academic papers
• Business reports
• Scientific research
• News articles

In all these contexts, per say would be considered an error.

People Also Ask

Is per say ever correct?

No. Per say is always considered a misspelling of per se.

What does per se literally mean?

It means “by itself” or “in itself.”

Is per se formal?

Yes. It is appropriate in both formal and informal writing.

Why is per se Latin?

The phrase originated in Latin but has become a standard part of modern English.

Can I replace per se with in itself?

Yes. In many sentences, in itself has nearly the same meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “per se” an English word?

No. It is a Latin phrase that has been adopted into English.

Why do so many people write “per say”?

Because both expressions sound nearly identical when spoken.

Should per se be italicized?

Modern style guides generally do not require italics, although they are acceptable in some formal publications.

Is per se used in everyday conversation?

Yes. Native speakers commonly use it in both speech and writing.

Can I use per se in academic writing?

Absolutely. It is widely accepted in academic, legal, and professional contexts.

Conclusion

Understanding per se vs per say is simple once you know the difference. Per se is the only correct spelling and means “by itself” or “in itself.” Per say has no meaning in English and is simply a spelling mistake caused by pronunciation.

Whenever you need to express that something should be considered independently, choose per se. Remember this rule, and you’ll avoid one of the most common writing errors while making your English clearer and more professional.