In everyday writing and professional communication, using the correct expression can make your meaning clearer and more polished. Per Say or Per Se is a common spelling and usage question because these two forms can look similar when heard in conversation, but only per se is the standard expression in English. The confusion often comes from pronunciation, where “per se” may sound like a single phrase and lead writers to spell it as “per say.”

Understanding per se is useful for students, professionals, content writers, and anyone who wants to use precise English. In this guide, you will learn the meaning of per se, why “per say” is considered incorrect in standard usage, how to pronounce and spell the expression, and how to use it correctly in sentences. You will also see the distinction between its literal meaning and its role in everyday English. Let’s explore the correct usage of per se and clear up this common confusion.

Per Say or Per Se – Quick Answer

Per se is the correct standard expression. It is a Latin phrase that means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” It is used when you want to discuss something on its own, rather than considering other factors around it.

Per say is generally a misspelling of per se. Although the two forms can sound similar in speech, per say is not the standard spelling of this expression. The confusion usually happens because writers spell the phrase according to how they hear it.

Expression	Meaning	Standard English?
Per se	By itself; in itself	Yes
Per say	Intended as “per se”	No; usually a misspelling

For example, you could write: “The job is not difficult per se, but it requires a lot of time.” Here, per se shows that the job itself is not difficult; the time requirement is the separate issue.

What Does Per Se Mean?

Per se means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “in its own nature.” The phrase is used to focus on the essential nature of something without adding outside circumstances or related factors.

For example:

• “The rule is not unfair per se, but its application can create problems.”
• “There is nothing wrong with the idea per se.”
• “The color is not unattractive per se; it simply does not suit the room.”

In each sentence, per se separates the thing itself from the surrounding situation. It often helps a writer make a careful distinction instead of making a broad statement.

The expression comes from Latin and has been used in English as a fixed phrase. In modern English, it commonly appears in formal writing, academic discussions, professional communication, and everyday speech. It is usually written as two words: per se.

One useful point is that per se does not simply mean “personally” or “specifically.” Its meaning depends on the idea of considering something in itself. Learning this distinction helps you use the expression naturally rather than inserting it wherever a sentence needs emphasis.

What Does Per Say Mean?

Per say does not normally have a separate meaning in standard English. In most cases, when someone writes per say, they intend to write per se.

The mistake is understandable because per se can sound similar to “per say” when spoken quickly. A person who has heard the phrase but has not seen it written may naturally guess the spelling from its pronunciation. This is a common type of phonetic spelling error, where a word or phrase is written according to its perceived sound.

For standard writing, replace per say with per se when you mean “by itself” or “in itself.”

• Incorrect: The plan is not bad per say.
  Correct: The plan is not bad per se.
• Incorrect: The method is not ineffective per say.
  Correct: The method is not ineffective per se.

The key rule is simple: use “per se” for the intended expression, not “per say.” Recognizing the phrase visually as well as understanding its meaning can help prevent this spelling mistake in academic writing, workplace communication, essays, and everyday English.

The Origin of Per Se or Per Say

Per se comes directly from Latin, where it means “by itself” or “in itself.” The expression entered English as a borrowed phrase and has retained its original two-word form. Unlike many English words that have changed significantly over time, per se continues to function as a fixed Latin expression in modern English.

The spelling per say developed from the way per se can sound when spoken. Because the final sound of se resembles the English word “say,” people who encounter the phrase mainly through speech may assume that “per say” is the correct spelling. However, the two forms do not have the same status in standard English.

Understanding the origin and meaning of per se makes the spelling easier to remember. The phrase refers to something considered on its own, without including external circumstances or related factors.

Per Se Meaning in a Sentence

In a sentence, per se usually means “in itself” or “by itself.” It often appears when a writer wants to make a distinction between something itself and the circumstances surrounding it.

Consider these examples:

• The idea is not unusual per se, but its timing is surprising.
• There is nothing wrong with the design per se.
• Working late is not difficult per se, but doing it every night can be tiring.
• The decision was not unfair per se; the problem was how it was explained.

In these examples, per se narrows the meaning of the statement. It tells the reader that the subject is being considered on its own merits or characteristics, rather than as part of a larger situation.

This makes the expression useful in formal writing, academic discussions, workplace communication, and careful everyday speech. When using it, make sure the surrounding sentence actually contrasts the thing itself with another factor.

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Is Per Se One Word or Two Words?

Per se is written as two separate words. The standard spelling is per se, not perse and not per say.

Because per se is a fixed expression borrowed from Latin, its original two-word structure remains visible in English. Writing it as one word can make the expression look like a different English word rather than the established phrase.

Correct:

The product is not expensive per se, but shipping costs are high.

Incorrect:

The product is not expensive perse, but shipping costs are high.

Also incorrect:

The product is not expensive per say, but shipping costs are high.

Remembering the structure is straightforward: per + se = per se. Keeping the two words separate is important when using the phrase in essays, articles, reports, emails, and other forms of standard English writing.

Is Per Say a Correct Expression?

Per say is not the standard form of the expression when you mean “by itself” or “in itself.” In this context, it is generally treated as a misspelling of per se.

The confusion mainly comes from pronunciation. Someone may hear per se and interpret the final sound as the familiar English word say. This can lead to the incorrect written form per say, especially when the phrase has been learned through conversation rather than reading.

For example:

Incorrect	Correct
The plan is not harmful per say.	The plan is not harmful per se.
The rule is not confusing per say.	The rule is not confusing per se.
The method is not wrong per say.	The method is not wrong per se.

When you want to express “in itself” or “by itself,” use per se. The form per say should not be substituted simply because it sounds similar when spoken.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling of Per Se

A simple way to remember the correct spelling is to connect per se with its meaning: “in itself” or “by itself.” Whenever you want to express this idea, remember that the standard form contains the letters s-e, not s-a-y.

You can also use these quick reminders:

• Per se = by itself: Connect the phrase directly with its meaning.
• Two words: Always write per se, not perse.
• Not “per say”: The spelling may reflect how the phrase sounds, but the standard written form is per se.
• Check the context: If the sentence means “in itself,” per se is likely the expression you need.

For example: “The idea is not problematic per se.” The phrase means that the idea itself is not the problem. Seeing this connection between meaning and spelling makes the correct form easier to remember.

Per Se in Professional Communication

In professional communication, per se can help writers make a precise distinction between something itself and its circumstances. It is particularly useful when a statement needs qualification rather than a broad yes-or-no description.

Professional Context	Example	Purpose of Per Se
Workplace discussion	The proposal is not impractical per se.	Separates the proposal from practical concerns surrounding it.
Business writing	The product is not expensive per se.	Focuses on the product itself rather than related costs.
Formal email	There is nothing inappropriate about the request per se.	Clarifies that another aspect may be causing concern.
Reports	The method is not ineffective per se.	Distinguishes the method from the conditions in which it was used.
Professional analysis	The change is not negative per se.	Avoids treating the change itself as the only issue.

Although per se is grammatically correct in professional writing, it should still be used when its meaning is clear. In less formal communication, a simpler phrase such as “in itself” may sometimes be easier for a wider audience to understand.

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Per Se in Academic Writing and Essays

In academic writing and essays, per se can be useful when an argument requires a careful distinction. It allows writers to separate the intrinsic nature of a subject from its effects, circumstances, interpretation, or application.

Academic Use	Example	What It Clarifies
Discussing an idea	The theory is not flawed per se.	The theory itself is distinguished from its application.
Analyzing a method	The method is not unreliable per se.	The method is separated from particular conditions.
Developing an argument	The decision was not unreasonable per se.	The decision itself is separated from its consequences.
Comparing concepts	Competition is not harmful per se.	Competition itself is distinguished from particular outcomes.
Evaluating evidence	The source is not unsuitable per se.	The source itself is separated from how it is used.

When using per se in an essay, make sure the surrounding argument explains what is being considered independently. The phrase works best when it adds precision rather than simply making a sentence sound more formal.

Why Do People Write Per Say Instead of Per Se?

The most common reason people write per say instead of per se is pronunciation. When someone hears the phrase in conversation without seeing it in writing, the final sound of se can be interpreted as the familiar English word “say.” This can lead to a spelling based on sound rather than the established written form.

Another reason is that per se is a borrowed Latin expression, so its spelling may not feel intuitive to someone learning English. A writer who has never encountered the phrase in print may reasonably assume that its sound represents an English spelling.

The important distinction is:

• Per se = the standard expression meaning “in itself” or “by itself.”
• Per say = generally a misspelling of per se when that meaning is intended.

This is why reading the phrase in context is helpful. Once you connect per se with its meaning and recognize its two-word spelling, the incorrect form per say becomes much easier to avoid.

British English vs American English Spelling

There is no standard British-versus-American spelling difference between per se and per say. In both varieties of English, the established expression is per se when the intended meaning is “in itself” or “by itself.”

Feature	British English	American English
Standard spelling	per se	per se
Number of words	Two	Two
Meaning	In itself; by itself	In itself; by itself
“Per say” as the expression	Not standard	Not standard
Origin	Latin	Latin
Main confusion	Pronunciation-based spelling	Pronunciation-based spelling

Therefore, choosing between British English and American English does not change the spelling of this expression. Whether you are writing a British English essay, an American English report, a professional email, or general online content, per se is the standard form.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Use per se when you mean “in itself,” “by itself,” or “intrinsically.” This is the established spelling in standard English. Per say is generally a pronunciation-based misspelling of the phrase, not an alternative spelling.

The easiest rule is to remember that per se is written as two words. If you are writing an essay, email, report, article, or other formal text, choose per se.

Correct: The proposal is not unreasonable per se.
Incorrect: The proposal is not unreasonable per say.

If your readers may not be familiar with the Latin expression, “in itself” can be a clearer alternative. For example, “The proposal is not unreasonable in itself” communicates essentially the same idea in more familiar English.

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Common Mistakes with Per Se

Several mistakes occur because per se is often learned through speech rather than writing.

Common Mistake	Correct Form	Why It Is Wrong
per say	per se	It follows the sound rather than the established spelling.
perse	per se	The expression contains two separate words.
per-sе	per se	A hyphen is not part of the standard expression.
Using it to mean “really”	per se = “in itself”	Its meaning is more specific than a general intensifier.
Using it to mean “for example”	for example	These expressions have different functions.

For instance, “The policy is not unfair per se” means the policy is not unfair in itself. It does not simply mean that the policy is “not really unfair.” Keeping the exact meaning in mind helps prevent both spelling and usage errors.

Per Se in Everyday Examples

Per se can appear in ordinary conversation and writing when someone wants to separate a thing itself from another factor connected to it. The expression often appears in sentences containing “but,” “although,” or a similar contrast.

• I don’t dislike the restaurant per se, but the service was slow.
• The movie wasn’t boring per se, but it felt too long.
• There is nothing wrong with the idea per se.
• The task isn’t difficult per se; it just takes a lot of time.
• She isn’t unfriendly per se; she is simply quiet.
• The price isn’t unreasonable per se, but it is higher than expected.
• The design isn’t unattractive per se, but it does not fit the room.
• Working from home is not distracting per se, although some people find it harder to focus.

In each example, per se limits the statement to the subject considered on its own. The writer or speaker then adds another factor that changes the broader situation. This makes the expression useful when you want to be precise rather than overly general.

Per Say or Per Se – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest can help show that people are actively confused about the spelling, but Google Trends measures search interest, not the actual frequency of correct or incorrect usage. A search for “per say” may represent someone checking whether the spelling is correct rather than someone who regularly writes it that way.

Search Term	What the Search Usually Indicates	Interpretation
per se	Meaning, spelling, or usage of the established phrase	Correct standard form
per say	Spelling confirmation or confusion	Common misspelling
per say or per se	Direct comparison between the two forms	Correct-spelling intent
what does per se mean	Definition and usage intent	Meaning-focused search
how to spell per se	Spelling confirmation	Writing-focused search
per se meaning in a sentence	Example and application intent	Usage-focused search

Dictionary.com specifically identifies per say as a frequent misspelling of per se, while its explanation of per se gives the meaning “by itself” or “intrinsically.”

Because search interest changes over time and by region, exact Google Trends numbers should be checked for the specific country, date range, and search type being analyzed. Search volume alone also cannot establish how often either spelling appears in edited or published writing.

When Should You Use Per Se?

Use per se when you want to discuss something by itself or in its own nature, without including other related factors. It is especially useful when making a distinction between a thing itself and the circumstances surrounding it.

For example:

• The idea is not bad per se, but it needs some changes.
• The job is not difficult per se, but it requires patience.
• There is nothing wrong with the method per se.

A useful test is to replace per se with “in itself.” If the sentence still makes sense, the expression is probably being used correctly.

Per Se vs In Itself

Per se and in itself generally express the same basic idea: something considered independently or by its own nature. The main difference is style and familiarity.

Expression	Meaning	Style
Per se	In itself; by itself	More formal or concise
In itself	Considered by itself	More familiar and straightforward

For example:

• The plan is not unreasonable per se.
• The plan is not unreasonable in itself.

Both sentences communicate essentially the same idea. In itself may be easier for a general audience, while per se is common in formal discussions and writing.

Does Per Se Need Italics?

Per se does not generally need italics in modern English writing. Although it is a Latin expression, it has become an established part of English usage and is commonly written in regular type.

For example:

Correct: The rule is not unfair per se.
Also acceptable in a style that italicizes foreign expressions: The rule is not unfair per se.

Whether to italicize it can depend on the style guide, publication, or editorial preference you are following. If no specific style requirement applies, regular type is generally suitable.

The important point is that italics do not change the spelling or meaning. The standard form remains per se, with two separate words.

Per Se in Formal and Academic Writing

Per se can be useful in formal and academic writing when an argument requires a precise distinction. It allows writers to clarify that they are discussing something on its own, rather than judging every circumstance associated with it.

For example:

• The theory is not incorrect per se, but its application requires further evidence.
• Technology is not harmful per se; its effects depend on how it is used.
• The approach is not ineffective per se, although the results vary by context.

In academic writing, use per se only when it adds a clear distinction. It should not be inserted simply to make a sentence sound more sophisticated. If “in itself” communicates the idea more naturally for your audience, it is often the clearer choice.

How to Remember the Correct Spelling of Per Se

The easiest way to remember per se is to connect its spelling with its meaning. The phrase means “in itself” or “by itself,” and it is always written as two words.

Keep these three points in mind:

1. Per se = in itself.
2. Per se = two words.
3. Per say = common misspelling, not the standard form.

You can also remember that the “se” in per se is not the English word “say.” The pronunciation may cause confusion, but the established written expression is per se.

For example, if you mean that something is not problematic by itself, write:

The idea is not problematic per se.

This simple connection between meaning, spelling, and usage makes it easier to avoid the common per say mistake.

FAQS

1. What Is the Correct Spelling: Per Se or Per Say?

The correct spelling is per se when you mean “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.” Per say is generally a misspelling caused by the way the phrase sounds when spoken.

2. What Does Per Se Mean?

Per se means by itself, in itself, or considered on its own. It is used when you want to focus on something without considering other related factors.

3. Is Per Se One Word or Two Words?

Per se is written as two separate words. Writing it as “perse” is incorrect when you are using the Latin expression.

4. Is Per Say a Correct Expression?

Per say is not the standard spelling of the expression meaning “in itself.” If you want to express that meaning, use per se.

5. Why Do People Spell Per Se as Per Say?

People often write per say because per se can sound like “per say” in everyday speech. The unfamiliar Latin spelling can also make the correct form harder to remember.

6. How Do You Use Per Se in a Sentence?

Use per se when discussing something on its own. For example: “The idea is not bad per se, but it needs more development.”

7. Is Per Se Formal English?

Yes. Per se is an established expression used in formal, academic, professional, and everyday English. However, in casual writing, “by itself” or “in itself” may sometimes sound more natural.

8. Does Per Se Need to Be Italicized?

Usually, per se does not need italics in modern English because it is a well-established expression. However, a particular style guide may have its own rules for foreign-language terms.

9. Is Per Se the Same as In Itself?

In many sentences, per se and in itself have nearly the same meaning. “In itself” is more familiar and conversational, while per se can provide a concise and slightly more formal tone.

10. How Can I Remember the Correct Spelling of Per Se?

Remember that per se = in itself and always contains two words. A simple memory trick is: “Se” belongs with “per” because the expression is per se, not “per say.”

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between per se and per say helps you avoid a common spelling mistake. Per se is the standard expression when you mean “by itself,” “in itself,” or “considered independently.” The spelling “per say” usually results from hearing the phrase rather than seeing it written.

The phrase per se can appear in everyday conversations, professional communication, academic writing, essays, and formal discussions. You can use it when you want to separate something from its surrounding circumstances and discuss its nature on its own.

The easiest way to remember the correct form is to keep per se as two words and connect it with the meaning “in itself.” Once you recognize its meaning and pronunciation, choosing per se instead of per say becomes much easier.