Per Se vs Per Say: The Common Mistake You Should Avoid

The phrases per se and per say often confuse English learners because they sound exactly the same. However, only one of them is correct in standard English. Using the wrong form can make your writing look unprofessional or incorrect.

Understanding per se vs per say is important, especially in formal writing and discussions. In this guide, you’ll learn the correct meaning, usage rules, examples, and simple tricks to avoid this common mistake.

Quick Answer

Per se is correct and means “by itself” or “in itself.”
Per say is incorrect and should never be used.
Always write it as per se.

Definition and Meaning

Per se is a Latin phrase meaning “by itself” or “intrinsically.”

Per say is not a correct English phrase.

So:

• Per se = correct
• Per say = incorrect

Why People Confuse It

The confusion happens because:

• Both sound identical
• “Per say” looks more natural in English spelling
• Many people are unaware of the Latin origin

First Form: Per Se

Per se is used to clarify that something is being considered alone or in its true nature.

Examples:

• The idea is not wrong per se.
• Money isn’t bad per se.

It is common in formal writing and speech.

Second Form: Per Say

Per say is incorrect.

It is a spelling mistake and should not be used.

Grammar Rules Explained

Per se is a fixed phrase.

It cannot be changed or spelled differently.

Always use it exactly as per se.

Comparison Table

Feature	Per Se	Per Say
Correct usage	Yes	No
Meaning	By itself	Incorrect
Origin	Latin	Not valid
Example	Not bad per se	❌ Wrong

When to Use Each

Use per se when:

• Clarifying meaning
• Referring to something alone

Never use per say.

Real Life Usage

Per se is used in:

• Academic writing
• Professional discussions
• Formal speech

Formal vs Informal Use

Per se is more common in formal contexts.

It can also appear in everyday conversation.

Pronunciation Guide

Per se is pronounced /pər ˈseɪ/

This is why it is often misspelled as “per say.”

Synonyms and Alternatives

For per se:

• In itself
• By itself
• Essentially

Common Sentences

Examples:

• It’s not a problem per se.
• The plan isn’t bad per se.

Examples

Here are 10 examples:

1. The method isn’t wrong per se.
2. It’s not illegal per se.
3. The idea isn’t bad per se.
4. He’s not lazy per se.
5. The issue isn’t serious per se.
6. It’s not harmful per se.
7. The concept isn’t new per se.
8. The plan isn’t perfect per se.
9. The design isn’t flawed per se.
10. The result isn’t surprising per se.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is writing per say instead of per se.

This happens due to pronunciation confusion.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Writing “per say”
• Changing the spelling
• Misusing the phrase

Memory Trick

Remember:

Per se = Latin phrase (correct)

Think: “se” is the correct ending.

American vs British English

There is no difference.

Both use per se as the correct form.

Similar Words

Other similar pairs:

• At least vs Atleast
• Any time vs Anytime
• A lot vs Alot

Related Confusing Words

More examples:

• Affect vs Effect
• Advice vs Advise
• Accept vs Except

Expert Tips

If you mean “in itself,” use per se.

Never write per say.

When Does It Apply

Use per se when:

• Clarifying meaning
• Writing formally
• Explaining ideas

Final Verdict

Per se is correct.
Per say is incorrect.

Always use per se.

FAQs

1. Is “per say” correct?
No.

2. What does “per se” mean?
By itself.

3. Why is it confusing?
Because of pronunciation.

4. Can I use it in writing?
Yes.

5. Is it formal?
Mostly.

6. How do I remember?
Se is correct.

Remember This

Per se = correct
Per say = wrong

Always use per se.

Conclusion

The difference between per se and per say is simple but important. Per se is the correct phrase used to mean “by itself” or “in itself,” while per say is a common spelling mistake that should always be avoided. Because they sound the same, many people write the incorrect version without realizing it.

By remembering that “per se” is a Latin phrase and the only correct form, you can easily avoid this mistake. With practice, using per se correctly will become natural, improving your writing and communication skills.