Per say or Per se: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct phrase is per se. It is a Latin expression that translates to by itself or in itself. You should never write per say, as it is a persistent misspelling caused by the similar sound of the two phrases in everyday conversation.

The Short Answer

Per se is the only correct spelling for the phrase meaning by itself or in its own right. It is a widely accepted Latin term used in English to isolate a specific quality or attribute of a subject.

People confuse this pair because per se sounds exactly like per say when spoken aloud. This phonetic similarity leads writers to incorrectly substitute the common verb say for the Latin root, resulting in a grammatical error.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
Per se	Correct	You need to emphasize something's inherent nature
Per say	Incorrect	You want to sound sophisticated but misspell the word
Latin Origin	Valid	Discussing etymology or formal definitions
Common Error	Invalid	Relying solely on how the phrase sounds

Correct Example Sentences

The project was not a failure per se, but rather a valuable learning experience for the entire team.
While the restaurant is expensive, it is not bad per se, just poorly managed by the current staff.
The law does not prohibit this action per se, but it does require a special license to operate legally.
Her comments were not insulting per se, though they certainly came across as rude to everyone present.
The device is not broken per se, but it requires a firmware update to function with the new software.
We are not against the idea per se, but we have concerns about the proposed budget and timeline.
The movie was not boring per se, but the pacing felt sluggish during the second act of the film.
This tool is not necessary per se, but it will significantly speed up your workflow if you use it daily.
The rule is not strict per se, but we recommend following it to avoid any potential complications or issues.
His behavior was not illegal per se, but it was certainly unethical and unacceptable in a professional setting.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

The issue is not the cost per say, but the timeline.: The issue is not the cost per se, but the timeline.
It is not a bug per say, but a feature.: It is not a bug per se, but a feature.
We do not object to the plan per say.: We do not object to the plan per se.
The food was not bad per say, just bland.: The food was not bad per se, just bland.
This rule is not strict per say, but flexible.: This rule is not strict per se, but flexible.
He is not angry per say, just disappointed.: He is not angry per se, just disappointed.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Replace the phrase with the words by itself or in itself. If the sentence still makes perfect logical sense, then per se is the correct choice. If the meaning changes or becomes confusing, you might be using the phrase incorrectly or in the wrong context.

Related Word Pairs

Its vs It's: Its shows possession; it's is a contraction for it is.
Your vs You're: Your shows possession; you're is a contraction for you are.
Then vs Than: Then refers to time; than is used for comparisons.
Accept vs Except: Accept means to receive; except means excluding something.
Affect vs Effect: Affect is usually a verb; effect is usually a noun.

More Example Sentences

The policy is not restrictive per se, but it does require additional documentation for processing.
Social media is not inherently evil per se, though it can facilitate the spread of misinformation.
The task is not difficult per se, but it demands a high level of precision and attention to detail.
This software update is not critical per se, but it improves overall system stability.
The flavor profile is not complex per se, yet it offers a satisfying and clean taste.
Remote work is not ideal per se for every team, but it can boost productivity for independent tasks.
The error was not fatal per se, but it prevented the application from launching correctly.
His argument was not illogical per se, just poorly structured and hard to follow.
The venue is not too large per se, but the acoustics make it feel cavernous.
The instructions are not ambiguous per se, provided you read them in the correct order.

Quick Practice

The design is not flawed , it just needs minor adjustments.

per se

I am not opposed to the change , only to the method of implementation.

per se

This ingredient is not spicy , but it adds a subtle heat.

per se

The meeting was not boring , just longer than expected.

per se

It is not a mistake , but a deliberate stylistic choice.

per se

The code is not inefficient , though it could be optimized further.

per se

Frequently Asked Questions

Is per say ever correct in English?

No, per say is always incorrect. It is a misspelling of the Latin phrase per se, which means by itself. There is no context in standard English where per say is considered acceptable usage.

What does the phrase per se mean?

Per se means by itself or in itself. It is used to clarify that a statement applies to the subject specifically, excluding other factors or broader contexts that might influence the situation.

Why do people keep writing per say?

People write per say because it sounds identical to per se when spoken. This auditory similarity tricks the brain into substituting the common verb say, leading to a widespread and persistent spelling error.

Can I use per se in casual conversation?

Yes, you can use per se in casual conversation. It is a standard English term derived from Latin. While slightly formal, it is commonly used in everyday speech to clarify specific points or distinctions.