Per say or Per se

Per se roughly means "by itself”, “in itself” or “of itself” and is often used with a negative statement followed by a but to show contrast.

TLDR

It's spelled "per se", not "per say". It's Latin.

Meaning of "Per Se"

"Per se" is a Latin phrase that means "by itself" or "in itself." It’s used to indicate that something is being considered in its own right, independent of other factors.

Examples:

➡️ "The movie wasn’t bad per se, but it wasn’t what I expected."

➡️ "He isn’t a bad person per se, but his actions were questionable."

Usage Tips:

Use "per se" when you want to emphasize that something is being evaluated on its own, without reference to anything else.

It’s typically used to clarify that while something might not be inherently negative, when taken alone, it has certain characteristics or implications.

Common Errors:

Incorrect Spelling:

❌ Incorrect: "The idea isn’t wrong per say."

✔️ Correct: "The idea isn’t wrong per se."

Misunderstanding the Meaning:

❌ Incorrect: "I don’t like his style per se the music."

✔️ Correct: "I don’t like his style, but it’s not bad per se."

FAQ

What does "per se" mean?

"Per se" means "in itself" or "by itself," used to emphasize that something is being considered on its own.

Is it "per se" or "per say"?

The correct phrase is "per se," not "per say."

Can "per se" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "per se" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing.

How do I use "per se" in a sentence?

You can use "per se" to clarify that you’re considering something in its own right. For example: "The law isn’t unfair per se, but its application can be problematic."

What language does "per se" come from?

"Per se" is derived from Latin.

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