Per Se vs Per Say: Meaning, Difference, Grammar Rules, and Examples

Have you ever written per say when you actually meant per se? You are not alone. Many English learners and even experienced writers confuse these two expressions because they sound almost identical when spoken.

However, there is an important difference between them. Per se is the correct expression, while per say is a common spelling mistake.

The phrase per se comes from Latin. It means by itself, in itself, or intrinsically. People use it to explain that something is being considered separately from other factors.

For example:

• The idea is not bad per se, but it needs improvement.
• Money is not the problem per se.
• The job is not difficult per se, but it requires patience.

In this guide, you will learn the difference between per se vs per say, their meanings, correct spelling, sentence structure, and practical examples. We will also explore common mistakes and explain how to use this expression naturally in everyday and professional English.

What Is the Difference Between Per Se and Per Say?

The main difference is that per se is a correct English expression, while per say is a misspelling.

Per se is a Latin phrase meaning by itself or in itself. It helps explain the true nature of something without considering other things around it.

On the other hand, per say has no standard meaning in English. It is usually a spelling mistake caused by the similar pronunciation of the two expressions.

Consider these examples:

• Correct: The decision is not wrong per se.
• Incorrect: The decision is not wrong per say.

The correct spelling is always per se when you want to express the meaning of in itself.

Expression	Meaning	Correct?	Example
Per se	By itself or in itself	Yes	It is not expensive per se.
Per say	No standard meaning	No	Incorrect spelling of per se.

Quick answer: Use per se, not per say. Per se means by itself or in itself and is commonly used to clarify or qualify a statement.

What Does Per Se Mean?

Per se means something considered independently, without including other influences or circumstances.

It is often used when a speaker wants to make a distinction between something itself and the situation surrounding it.

For example:

“The restaurant is not expensive per se, but the location makes it seem costly.”

This means the restaurant’s prices are not necessarily high on their own. Other factors, such as its location, may affect how people view the cost.

Here are more examples:

• The rule is not unfair per se.
• Technology is not harmful per se.
• The movie is not boring per se.
• Working from home is not difficult per se.

In each sentence, per se helps narrow the meaning of the statement.

Origin of Per Se

The expression per se comes from Latin.

In Latin, it means by itself or through itself. English adopted the expression and continues to use it in writing and conversation.

Although its origin is Latin, it is now a recognized expression in modern English.

You may see it in:

• Academic writing
• Business communication
• Legal documents
• Professional discussions
• Everyday conversations
• Newspaper articles

It is especially useful when you want to express a precise idea without using a long explanation.

Sentence Structure of Per Se

Understanding the sentence structure of per se makes it easier to use correctly.

The expression does not change according to the subject, tense, or number of a sentence. It usually appears after the word or idea being discussed.

1. Subject + Verb + Not + Adjective + Per Se

This is one of the most common sentence patterns.

Examples:

• The task is not difficult per se.
• The proposal is not unreasonable per se.
• The situation is not unusual per se.
• The product is not expensive per se.

This structure is useful when you want to explain that something is not necessarily a particular way.

2. Subject + Verb + Noun + Per Se

You can also use per se after a noun phrase.

Examples:

• Money is not the problem per se.
• The decision is not the issue per se.
• Technology is not the solution per se.
• The policy is not a failure per se.

Here, the expression emphasizes the noun or idea being discussed.

3. Subject + Per Se + Verb

Although less common, you can sometimes place the expression after a subject or noun phrase.

Examples:

• The company per se is not responsible.
• The theory per se does not explain everything.

This structure is more formal and depends on the intended meaning.

4. Per Se at the End of a Sentence

One of the easiest ways to use the expression is to place it at the end.

Examples:

• I do not dislike the idea per se.
• The problem is not serious per se.
• The book is not difficult to understand per se.

This placement is common in natural English.

Read More: 75 Other Ways to Say Happy Birthday (With Examples 2027)

Types or Rules: How to Use Per Se Correctly

There are no complicated tense rules for per se. However, a few important guidelines will help you use it accurately.

Rule 1: Always Use the Correct Spelling

The correct spelling is per se.

Do not write per say when you mean by itself or in itself.

Examples:

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

Remember that the final word is spelled se, not say.

Rule 2: Use It to Separate an Idea From Other Factors

Per se is useful when something is not necessarily good, bad, right, or wrong on its own.

Examples:

• The policy is not harmful per se.
• The website is not difficult per se.
• The problem is not the price per se.
• The suggestion is not unreasonable per se.

These sentences distinguish the main subject from other circumstances.

Rule 3: Use It When You Want to Be Precise

Sometimes a statement sounds too general without additional clarification.

Per se allows you to make a more specific point.

For example:

“Social media is not dangerous per se, but excessive use can create problems.”

This sentence does not claim that social media is always dangerous. It explains that the risks depend on how people use it.

Rule 4: Do Not Confuse It With Other Expressions

Several English expressions have meanings similar to per se, but they are not always interchangeable.

Consider these alternatives:

Expression	Meaning
Per se	By itself or in itself
In itself	Considered independently
By itself	Without help or other things
Intrinsically	Naturally or essentially
As such	In the capacity or form mentioned
Strictly speaking	According to the exact meaning

For example:

• The idea is not wrong per se.
• The idea is not wrong in itself.

Both sentences communicate a similar meaning.

Rule 5: Avoid Unnecessary Use

Although per se is useful, you do not need to include it in every sentence.

Compare:

• Unnecessary: The weather is nice per se.
• Better: The weather is nice.

Use it when you want to make a meaningful distinction.

10 Mixed Examples of Per Se in Everyday English

The following examples show how to use per se in different situations.

1. The job is not difficult per se, but it requires a lot of patience.
2. Money is not the problem per se; poor planning is the real issue.
3. The movie is not boring per se, but the story moves very slowly.
4. Working from home is not challenging per se, but staying focused can be difficult.
5. The idea is not wrong per se, although it needs some changes.
6. Technology is not harmful per se; its effects depend on how people use it.
7. The restaurant is not expensive per se, but its location increases the overall cost.
8. The decision was not unfair per se, but some people disagreed with it.
9. The subject is not complicated per se, but the explanation makes it confusing.
10. The company is not responsible per se for every problem caused by its suppliers.

These examples demonstrate that the expression works in personal, academic, professional, and everyday situations.

More Examples of Per Se in Different Situations

Let’s explore a few additional examples to understand its practical use.

Per Se in Everyday Conversations

• I do not hate exercise per se; I just dislike waking up early.
• The food is not bad per se, but it needs more seasoning.
• I am not against change per se.
• The neighborhood is not dangerous per se, but some areas need improvement.

Se in Professional English

• The proposal is not unreasonable per se.
• The company is not responsible per se for the delay.
• The issue is not the budget per se.
• The strategy is not ineffective per se, but it needs better execution.

Per Se in Academic Writing

• The theory is not incorrect per se.
• The research method is not unreliable per se.
• Technology is not a threat per se.
• The results do not demonstrate failure per se.

Se in Formal and Legal English

• The action is not illegal per se.
• The agreement is not invalid per se.
• The decision is not discriminatory per se.

In formal writing, the expression can help distinguish an action or condition from the circumstances surrounding it. However, legal conclusions always depend on the applicable law and facts.

Common Mistakes When Using Per Se

Even advanced English learners sometimes make mistakes with this expression.

Here are the most common problems and how to correct them.

Mistake 1: Writing Per Say Instead of Per Se

Incorrect: The idea is not bad per say.

Correct: The idea is not bad per se.

Explanation: Per say is a spelling error when the intended meaning is by itself.

Mistake 2: Thinking Per Se Means Personally

Incorrect understanding: Per se means personally or according to someone’s opinion.

Correct understanding: Per se means by itself or in itself.

Example:

“The decision is not wrong per se.”

This means the decision is not inherently wrong. It does not mean someone personally disagrees with it.

Mistake 3: Using Per Se Without a Clear Purpose

Incorrect or awkward: I per se like coffee.

Better: I personally like coffee.

Explanation: Per se does not mean personally. Use personally when expressing your own opinion.

Mistake 4: Confusing Per Se With Per Say in Speech

Both expressions may sound similar in conversation. However, their written forms are different.

When writing, always remember the correct Latin spelling: per se.

Mistake 5: Using It as a Replacement for Every Meaning of Itself

Although per se and itself can have similar meanings, they do not fit every sentence in the same way.

Compare:

• The machine repaired itself.
• The machine is not dangerous per se.

The first sentence describes an action performed by the machine. The second explains the machine’s nature.

Comparison Table: Per Se vs Per Say vs Similar Expressions

Here is a helpful comparison of commonly confused words and phrases.

Word or Phrase	Meaning	Example
Per se	By itself	The idea is not bad per se.
Per say	Incorrect spelling	Do not use this spelling for per se.
Personally	According to one’s own opinion	I personally prefer tea.
Itself	The thing itself	The door closed by itself.
In itself	Considered independently	The rule is not unfair in itself.
Intrinsically	Naturally or essentially	The material is intrinsically valuable.
As such	In the stated capacity	He is a teacher and should act as such.

Per Se vs In Itself

These expressions are often interchangeable.

Examples:

• The idea is not dangerous per se.
• The idea is not dangerous in itself.

Both sentences suggest that the idea is not inherently dangerous.

However, per se often sounds more formal or concise.

Per Se vs Personally

These expressions have different meanings.

Examples:

• The decision is not wrong per se.
• I personally disagree with the decision.

The first sentence evaluates the decision itself. The second expresses an individual’s opinion.

Per Se vs Intrinsically

Both expressions can describe something according to its own nature.

However, intrinsically is often used to describe an essential quality.

Examples:

• The activity is not harmful per se.
• Every human life has intrinsic value.

Choose the expression that communicates your meaning most clearly.

Verb Usage: How Per Se Works With Different Verbs

The expression per se is not a verb. It is a Latin phrase that functions as an adverbial expression.

Therefore, it does not have past, present, or future verb forms.

However, you can use it with different verbs to create meaningful sentences.

1. Per Se With Present Tense Verbs

Examples:

• The method does not work per se.
• The company is not responsible per se.
• The idea does not create problems per se.

2. Per Se With Past Tense Verbs

Examples:

• The decision was not wrong per se.
• The project did not fail per se.
• The manager was not responsible per se.

3. Per Se With Present Perfect Verbs

Examples:

• The strategy has not failed per se.
• The company has not changed per se.
• The process has not become difficult per se.

4. Per Se With Modal Verbs

Examples:

• This rule may not be harmful per se.
• The decision could be reasonable per se.
• The idea might not be wrong per se.

The important point is that the verb changes according to the sentence’s tense and meaning. Per se remains unchanged.

Tenses Connection: Can Per Se Be Used in Different Tenses?

Yes. You can use per se in sentences involving different English tenses.

The expression itself does not determine the tense. The main verb does.

Here are some examples.

Tense	Example
Present simple	The idea is not bad per se.
Present continuous	The situation is not changing per se.
Past simple	The decision was not wrong per se.
Past continuous	The company was not struggling per se.
Present perfect	The strategy has not failed per se.
Past perfect	The plan had not been unsuccessful per se.
Future simple	The change will not be harmful per se.

Use of Had With Per Se

The word had helps form the past perfect tense.

For example:

“The previous arrangement had not been problematic per se.”

This sentence describes an earlier situation from a past perspective.

The expression per se remains unchanged.

Has vs Have With Per Se

The helping verbs has and have are used with different subjects.

Examples:

• The company has not failed per se.
• The companies have not failed per se.

Remember that has agrees with singular third-person subjects, while have is used with plural subjects and other appropriate pronouns.

Future Indefinite Tense Examples With Per Se

You can also use the expression with future simple sentences.

Examples:

• The new policy will not be harmful per se.
• The decision will not create problems per se.
• The change will not be difficult per se.

These sentences show that per se can appear in different tense structures without changing its spelling or meaning.

Clauses and Grammar Usage

Clauses help you create longer sentences and express more detailed ideas.

A clause contains a subject and a verb. You can use per se in independent clauses, dependent clauses, and complex sentences.

1. Independent Clauses

An independent clause expresses a complete thought.

Examples:

• The idea is not wrong per se.
• The decision was not unfair per se.
• Technology is not dangerous per se.

Each sentence communicates a complete idea.

2. Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

You can combine it with per se to provide additional information.

Examples:

• Although the idea is not bad per se, it needs improvement.
• Because the product is not expensive per se, customers may still consider it costly.
• While the policy is not unfair per se, it creates some difficulties.

These sentence patterns make your writing more detailed.

3. Conditional Clauses

Conditional sentences describe possible situations and their results.

Examples:

• If the method is not harmful per se, we can consider using it.
• If the decision was not wrong per se, we should examine the surrounding circumstances.
• If the product is not expensive per se, customers may be willing to purchase it.

4. Relative Clauses

Relative clauses provide extra information about a noun.

Examples:

• The policy, which is not harmful per se, needs further discussion.
• The decision that was not unfair per se created some confusion.
• The method, which is not difficult per se, requires professional training.

Learning how clauses work will help you use more advanced sentence patterns naturally.

Is Per Se Formal or Informal?

Per se is generally considered a formal or moderately formal expression.

It is common in professional discussions, academic writing, legal language, and thoughtful everyday conversations.

For example:

• Formal: The proposal is not unreasonable per se.
• Neutral: The proposal is not unreasonable in itself.
• Simple: The proposal is not necessarily unreasonable.

You can use the phrase in everyday conversations, but simpler alternatives may sound more natural when speaking with beginners or children.

Synonyms and Alternatives for Per Se

If you want to avoid repeating per se, you can use several alternatives.

Alternative	Example
In itself	The plan is not difficult in itself.
By itself	The machine cannot work by itself.
Essentially	The idea is essentially correct.
Intrinsically	The activity is not intrinsically harmful.
Inherently	The rule is not inherently unfair.
Considered alone	Considered alone, the decision is reasonable.
As such	The issue, as such, is not serious.

Be careful: these alternatives have slightly different meanings and sentence patterns. Choose one that fits your intended message.

Practical Tips to Remember Per Se vs Per Say

Here are some simple ways to remember the correct expression.

1. Remember the spelling: The correct expression is always per se.
2. Learn its meaning: Think of “by itself” or “in itself.”
3. Avoid the pronunciation trap: Similar sounds do not mean identical spelling.
4. Practice with examples: Write five sentences using per se.
5. Check your writing: Pay attention to the final spelling before publishing an article or email.

A useful memory trick is to remember that per se is a Latin expression, not an English phrase spelled according to its pronunciation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is It Per Se or Per Say?

The correct expression is per se. It is a Latin phrase meaning by itself or in itself. Per say is a common spelling mistake that occurs because both expressions sound similar. For example, write “The idea is not bad per se,” rather than “The idea is not bad per say.”

2. What Does Per Se Mean in Simple English?

Per se means by itself, in itself, or considered alone. It helps explain that something is being considered separately from other factors. For example, “The job is not difficult per se” means the job itself is not necessarily difficult, although other circumstances may make it challenging.

3. Is Per Se One Word or Two Words?

Per se is written as two separate words. Both words come from Latin, and the expression has maintained its original spelling in English. Always write it as “per se,” not “perse,” “per say,” or “persay.”

4. Is Per Se Grammatically Correct?

Yes, per se is grammatically correct and widely recognized in English. It is used in academic writing, professional communication, legal discussions, and everyday conversations. It usually appears after the noun or idea being qualified. For example, “The decision is not wrong per se.”

5. Can I Use Per Se in Everyday Conversation?

Yes. You can use per se in everyday conversations, especially when explaining a specific point. However, it may sound slightly formal. If you prefer simpler language, you can use alternatives such as “by itself,” “in itself,” or “not necessarily,” depending on the sentence.

Conclusion

The difference between per se vs per say is simple but important. Per se is the correct Latin expression, meaning by itself or in itself. In contrast, per say is an incorrect spelling when used with this intended meaning. You can use per se in everyday conversations, professional communication, academic writing, and formal discussions.

 It helps clarify an idea by separating it from other factors or circumstances. Remember that the expression does not change with English tenses, verbs, or subjects. Practice using it in different sentence structures to improve your writing. Most importantly, remember the correct spelling: per se, not per say. Once you understand its meaning and usage, you can use this expression confidently and naturally.