Per Say or Per Se? Which Is Correct and Why You Should Care

I still remember the first time I typed an email and paused, unsure whether to write per say or per se—understanding Per Say or Per Se? Which Is Correct is key for people in English, whether spoken or written. This tiny Latin term, often misheard or mistakenly written, can confuse writers and speakers alike, as its meaning, literally “by itself” or “in itself,” is simple yet frequently misused, especially in casual speech, emails, posts, or formal writing. Using it properly helps isolate the true nature of something, giving sentences clarity, professional polish, and confidence.

Even in English, confusion arises because per say sounds similar to per se. Common misuses like miswriting, misstating, or incorrect spelling clears nothing for the reader. I’ve seen people stumble mid-sentence, hesitate, or break rules, thinking it’s right. Whether in movies, podcasts, social media, or emails, this phrase differs from others and is not necessarily interchangeable with “so to speak.” Its pronunciation, grammar, and usage must be explained, understood, and remembered to confidently avoid embarrassing, sloppy, or harmless errors.

To get it correct, focus on the actual phrase and form: per se stands alone and communicates what it intends. It’s logical, polished, and professional, unlike per say, which creeping into writing often sounds wrong. From spelling to examples, whether spoken or written, knowing its origin, practical usage, and synonyms helps you express ideas effectively, clearing doubt, avoiding confusion, and communicating simply, easily, and correctly.

Table of Contents

What People Usually Mean by “Per Say”

When someone writes “per say,” they usually mean “per se.” This mistake often happens because the words sound the same, but the spelling is off. People frequently see it in informal writing, like texts, forums, and social media posts.

Examples of Incorrect Usage

“That’s wrong per say.”
“He’s not lazy per say.”
“I don’t hate the idea per say, but it’s risky.”

These sentences are widely understood by readers, but they are grammatically incorrect. Using “per say” in formal writing, emails, or academic work can make your text look careless.

Correct Term: “Per Se”

The correct phrase is “per se”, pronounced /pər ˈseɪ/.

Meaning and Origins

Latin origin: per se literally means “by itself” or “in itself.”
English adoption: The term entered English in the 17th century, mainly in legal and scholarly texts.

In English, per se is used to describe something in its intrinsic nature, separate from external factors.

Correct Usage Examples

Academic writing: “The experiment, per se, does not prove causation.”
Business communication: “The idea is sound, per se, but the execution needs work.”
Everyday conversation: “The book, per se, isn’t boring, but the chapters are poorly organized.”

Notice that per se clarifies that you are discussing the thing itself, not its context or consequences.

Common Contexts Where “Per Se” Is Used

Understanding where per se fits naturally can help you use it correctly.

Legal Contexts

Lawyers and judges often use per se to discuss cases where something is inherently right or wrong, independent of circumstances.

Example: “The act is illegal per se, regardless of intent.”

Academic and Scientific Contexts

Researchers use per se to separate variables or highlight intrinsic qualities.

Example: “The substance is harmless per se, but reactions with other chemicals are dangerous.”

Formal Writing

In essays, reports, and professional emails, per se adds precision.

Example: “The policy is not flawed per se, but its implementation is problematic.”

Informal Conversation

Even casual speakers occasionally use per se to clarify their point.

Example: “I don’t dislike the movie per se, but the pacing felt off.”

Wrong vs. Right Usage Table

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
That’s wrong per say.	That’s not wrong per se.	Clarifies the thing itself isn’t wrong.
He’s not lazy per say.	He’s not lazy per se.	Indicates intrinsic nature, not appearance.
I don’t hate it per say, but…	I don’t hate it per se, but…	Specifies dislike isn’t inherent to the thing itself.

Why “Per Say” Is Wrong

“Per say” is a phonetic error, not a grammatical one. It’s incorrect because the Latin phrase is always spelled “per se.”

How the Mistake Spreads

Autocorrect errors: Spellcheck may suggest “say” if you type quickly.
Casual writing habits: Social media posts often normalize the error.
Oral confusion: People mimic what they hear rather than checking spelling.

Using per say in professional or academic writing may reduce credibility, as readers notice small but important errors like this.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

Quick Rules of Thumb

Always write “per se.”
Remember the meaning: “By itself” or “intrinsically.”
Read aloud: If it sounds off, double-check spelling.

Memory Aids

Think: “It’s not per say, it’s per se—short and simple.”
Associate per se with intrinsic quality in your mind.

Practice Examples

Try replacing “per say” with “per se” in these sentences:

“That’s not true per say.” → Correct: “That’s not true per se.”
“I don’t dislike it per say.” → Correct: “I don’t dislike it per se.”

Practicing regularly helps solidify the correct usage.

Related Mistakes to Watch Out For

Latin phrases are tricky in English. Per se is not the only one people get wrong.

Phrase	Common Mistake	Correct Usage
e.g. (for example)	i.e.	Use “e.g.” to give examples.
i.e. (that is)	e.g.	Use “i.e.” to clarify meaning.
vice versa	vice-versa	Correct is vice versa, no hyphen.
per se	per say	Always per se.

Getting these small phrases right improves clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Fun Facts About “Per Se”

First recorded in English: 1660s in legal documents.
Pop culture references: Authors like Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde occasionally used it in published works.
Pronunciation errors: Even professional speakers sometimes mispronounce it as “per say,” showing it’s a widely misunderstood term.

Knowing the history and quirks of per se makes it easier to remember and use confidently.

FAQs

Q1: What does “per se” mean?

Per se is a Latin term that means “by itself” or “in itself” and is used to describe the true nature of something.

Q2: Is “per say” correct?

No, per say is incorrect, misheard, and commonly misused in English. The correct form is per se.

Q3: Can “per se” be used in casual writing?

Yes, per se can appear in casual speech, emails, or posts, but it should always be used properly to avoid confusion.

Q4: How is “per se” pronounced?

The pronunciation follows its Latin origin and is distinct from per say, which is often mistakenly used.

Q5: Why do people confuse “per say” with “per se”?

They sound identical, and many people assume “per say” is correct, especially in spoken English, movies, or podcasts.

Q6: Can “per se” be used in professional writing?

Absolutely. Using per se correctly in formal writing, emails, or articles makes your communication clear and professional.

Q7: What are common mistakes with “per se”?

Common misuses include miswriting, misstating, spelling it incorrectly, or confusing it with per say.

Q8: How can I remember the correct usage?

Focus on the actual phrase, its meaning, and practice using it in sentences, emails, or conversations.

Q9: Does “per se” have synonyms?

Yes, per se can sometimes be replaced with words like intrinsically, essentially, or in itself, depending on the context.

Q10: Is “per se” interchangeable with “so to speak”?

Not exactly. While both clarify meaning, per se specifically isolates the true nature of something, whereas “so to speak” is more figurative.

Conclusion

Using per se correctly is essential for clear and professional communication in English. Unlike the incorrect per say, per se accurately conveys the true nature of something, whether in casual speech, emails, posts, or formal writing. By understanding its Latin origin, meaning, pronunciation, and usage, you can confidently avoid mistakes, misuses, and confusion, making your writing and speaking precise, polished, and effective.