Have you ever written “per say” and wondered if it should be “per se”? You are not alone. This is a common spelling mistake because the two forms sound almost the same when spoken.
Many people use the phrase in emails, essays, social media posts, and everyday conversations without knowing its correct spelling.
The correct form is per se. The phrase comes from Latin and means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “as such.” The spelling “per say” is incorrect when you mean this Latin phrase.
Understanding the difference is useful if you want your writing to look clear and professional. It can also help you avoid mistakes in schoolwork, business writing, and formal documents.
In this guide, you will learn the meaning and origin of per se, why per say is incorrect, how the phrase works in British and American English, and how to use it naturally. You will also see simple examples, common mistakes, usage advice, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Per Say or Per Se – Quick Answer
- ❌ Per say
- ✅ Per se
Examples
The job is not difficult per se, but it takes a lot of time.
This means the job is not difficult in itself.
I do not dislike the idea per se.
This means I do not dislike the idea itself.
Money is not bad per se.
This means money is not bad in itself.
A simple way to remember it is:
Per se = correct
Per say = incorrect
The Origin of Per Say or Per Se
The correct phrase per se comes from Latin.
In Latin, per se means “by itself,” “by itself alone,” or “in itself.” English adopted the phrase as a term used to describe something on its own, without considering other factors.
The word per can mean “through” or “by,” while se refers to “itself.”
Because English speakers often hear per se pronounced like “per say,” the incorrect spelling per say became common in informal writing.
This is a sound-based spelling error. People write the phrase as they think it sounds.
However, per say is not the standard spelling of this expression.
The phrase per se is still used in modern English, especially in academic, professional, legal, and formal writing.
Why Do People Write “Per Say”?
The main reason is pronunciation.
Per se is commonly pronounced:
pur SAY
When people hear it, they may naturally think the final word is spelled say.
But English contains many expressions whose spelling cannot be guessed from pronunciation. Per se is one of them.
So, if you want the phrase meaning “in itself,” always write per se.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no British vs. American spelling difference for this phrase.
Both British English and American English use:
per se
The incorrect form per say is not a standard British or American spelling.
| English Variety | Correct Form | Incorrect Form |
| American English | per se | per say |
| British English | per se | per say |
| Canadian English | per se | per say |
| Australian English | per se | per say |
| Global English | per se | per say |
Examples in Both Varieties
American English:
The plan is not bad per se, but it needs more work.
British English:
The plan is not bad per se, but it needs more work.
The spelling stays the same.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use per se regardless of whether your audience is American, British, Canadian, Australian, or international.
If you are writing for a professional audience, per se is the only standard choice.
For US Readers
Use:
The product is not expensive per se.
For UK Readers
Use:
The product is not expensive per se.
For Global Readers
Use:
The problem is not the technology per se.
There is no need to change the spelling based on the country.
However, keep in mind that per se is somewhat formal. In very simple writing, you can often replace it with “in itself.”
For example:
The idea is not wrong per se.
can become:
The idea is not wrong in itself.
The second version may be easier for beginners to understand.
Common Mistakes with Per Say or Per Se
Here are some common errors.
1. Writing “Per Say”
❌ The movie is not bad per say.
✅ The movie is not bad per se.
2. Confusing Meaning
Per se does not simply mean “personally” or “actually.”
It means in itself or as such.
3. Using It Too Often
Because per se sounds formal, using it in every sentence can make your writing feel unnatural.
Instead of:
This is not a problem per se.
You can sometimes write:
This is not a problem in itself.
4. Using It Without a Clear Contrast
The phrase often appears when someone wants to separate one thing from its effects or related issues.
For example:
The rule is not unfair per se, but its application can be unfair.
The rule itself is not necessarily unfair, but the way people use it may create problems.
Per Say or Per Se in Everyday Examples
In Emails
The proposal is not unreasonable per se, but we need more information.
In News Writing
The policy is not controversial per se, but its timing has caused debate.
In Social Media
I don’t hate the idea per se; I just think it needs improvement.
In Formal Writing
Technology is not harmful per se. Its effects depend on how it is used.
In Academic Writing
Competition is not harmful per se, although excessive competition may create stress.
In Conversation
I don’t dislike coffee per se. I just prefer tea.
These examples all use per se to mean “in itself.”
Per Say or Per Se – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest for “per say or per se” comes mainly from people who are unsure about the correct spelling. This happens because the phrase is pronounced similarly to the words “per say.”
Searches are generally associated with English-speaking regions and countries where English is widely used, including:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- India
- Other international English-speaking communities
The search usually appears in contexts such as grammar, spelling, writing, education, and proofreading.
The important point is that search interest does not mean both spellings are correct.
Per Se vs Per Say Comparison
| Variation | Correct? | Meaning |
| per se | ✅ Yes | In itself; by itself |
| per say | ❌ No | Incorrect spelling of per se |
| in itself | ✅ Yes | Same basic meaning |
| by itself | ✅ Yes | Similar meaning in many contexts |
| as such | ✅ Yes | Similar meaning in some contexts |
Per Se vs. In Itself
These expressions are often interchangeable.
The idea is not bad per se.
The idea is not bad in itself.
Both suggest that the idea itself is not the problem.
However, per se sounds more formal and concise, while in itself is often easier to understand.
How to Remember Per Se
Use this simple memory trick:
SE = itself
Think:
per se = in itself
Do not write per say just because it sounds like “say.”
Another useful trick is to remember that per se is Latin, so its spelling does not follow the normal English sound pattern.
FAQs About Per Say or Per Se
1. Is it “per say” or “per se”?
Per se is correct. Per say is an incorrect spelling when you mean “in itself.”
2. What does per se mean?
Per se means “in itself,” “by itself,” or “as such.”
3. Is “per say” ever correct?
Not as the standard spelling of the Latin expression meaning “in itself.” In normal English writing, use per se.
4. Is per se British or American?
It is used in both British English and American English. The spelling does not change.
5. How do you pronounce per se?
It is commonly pronounced approximately like “pur SAY.”
6. Can I use per se in formal writing?
Yes. Per se is common in formal, academic, professional, and legal writing.
7. Can I replace per se with in itself?
Yes. In many sentences, “in itself” has the same basic meaning and may be easier for readers to understand.
Conclusion
When choosing between per say or per se, the answer is simple: per se is the correct expression. It means “in itself,” “by itself,” or “as such.” The spelling per say is a common mistake caused by the way per se sounds when spoken.
There is no British or American spelling difference. Writers in both varieties of English use per se. The phrase comes from Latin and has been used in English for a long time, especially in formal and professional contexts.
If you are writing an email, essay, report, article, or social media post, use per se when you mean “in itself.” If your readers may not know the phrase, in itself can be a simpler alternative.
The easiest rule to remember is this: per se is correct; per say is not. Once you connect per se with the meaning “in itself,” this common spelling problem becomes much easier to avoid.
I am Adam Grant, an author at Grammra.com. I focus on creating educational content that helps readers improve their writing, grammar, and communication skills. My mission is to make language learning accessible and valuable for students, professionals, and lifelong learners.
