If you’ve ever hesitated between using per say or per se, trust me—you’re not alone. These two forms look incredibly similar, sound almost identical when spoken, and appear frequently in everyday conversations and online writing. That’s exactly why so many people mix them up. But here’s the good news: only one of them is correct, and once you understand the meaning, you’ll never confuse them again.
Although they sound similar, they serve completely different purposes—and one isn’t even a real word.
In this guide, you’ll learn what per se actually means, why per say is always wrong, how to use per se naturally, and how to remember the correct form with simple examples, dialogues, and a comparison table. Let’s make it super easy. 🚀
What Is “Per Se”? (Correct Term)
Per se is a Latin phrase that means “by itself,” “in itself,” or “intrinsically.”
It’s used in English to point out that you’re referring to something on its own—not in relation to anything else.
How It Works
You use per se when you want to separate an idea, object, or issue from surrounding factors.
Examples:
- “The movie wasn’t bad per se, but it was too long.”
- “I don’t dislike chocolate per se, I just avoid sugar.”
Where It’s Used
You’ll commonly see per se in:
- Everyday English conversations
- Academic writing
- Legal and business documents
- News articles
- Professional communication
Origin
Per se comes from Latin.
- Per = by
- Se = itself
English borrowed the phrase centuries ago and still uses it exactly the same way today—unchanged, formal, and universally understood.
In simple terms:
👉 Per se = “in itself”
What Is “Per Say”? (Incorrect Term)
Per say is simply a misspelling and mispronunciation of per se.
It is not a real English phrase, not used in formal writing, and not recognized in dictionaries.
Why People Get It Wrong
- It sounds identical to “per se” when spoken.
- “Say” is a familiar English word, so people assume it fits.
- Many learn the phrase by hearing it—not reading it.
But remember:
👉 “Per say” is always wrong. Don’t use it in writing.
⭐ Key Differences Between Per Se and Per Say
Here is a quick comparison to clear up the confusion instantly:
Comparison Table: Per Se vs Per Say
| Feature | Per Se | Per Say |
|---|---|---|
| Correct or Incorrect? | ✔ Correct | ✘ Incorrect |
| Meaning | “By itself,” “in itself” | No meaning |
| Origin | Latin | None |
| Usage | Formal and informal writing | Not used |
| Accepted in English? | Yes | No |
| Example | “Not wrong per se.” | ❌ “Not wrong per say.” |
In simple terms:
👉 Per se = Correct Latin phrase
👉 Per say = Misspelling
🎭 Real-Life Conversation Examples (3–5 Dialogues)
Dialogue 1
Ali: “The movie wasn’t bad per say…”
Sara: “You mean per se. ‘Per say’ isn’t a word.”
Ali: “Seriously? I’ve been saying it wrong for years!”
🎯 Lesson: Use per se, not per say.
Dialogue 2
Ayesha: “I don’t hate pizza per se, I’m just lactose intolerant.”
Hadi: “Using that phrase makes you sound like a lawyer.”
🎯 Lesson: Per se = “in itself.”
Dialogue 3
Hamid: “Is per say the English version?”
Rida: “No. It’s just an incorrect spelling of ‘per se.’”
🎯 Lesson: Only per se is correct.
Dialogue 4
Zara: “Do we use per se in casual conversations?”
Noman: “Yes, people use it all the time—even casually.”
🎯 Lesson: It works in formal and informal speech.
Dialogue 5
Omar: “Why does per say look so natural though?”
Javeria: “Because your brain wants to make it English—but it’s not.”
🎯 Lesson: Familiarity is misleading; correctness matters.
🧭 When to Use Per Se
Use per se when you want to:
- Highlight something on its own
- Separate an object or idea from extra details
- Sound precise and professional
- Clarify meaning in writing or speech
Examples:
- “It’s not a problem per se, but it needs attention.”
- “I don’t dislike the idea per se, but it needs improvement.”
Avoid using it unnecessarily—use it only when it clarifies meaning.
🧠 Memory Tricks to Remember the Right Term
✔ Trick 1:
“Se” = “self”
So, per se = “by itself.”
✔ Trick 2:
“Say” is a verb.
If you’re not talking about speaking, you don’t need “say.”
✔ Trick 3:
Latin phrases often have short words:
- per se
- ad hoc
- et al
- per diem
So “per say” simply doesn’t fit the pattern.
🎉 Fun Facts
- Per se is one of the few Latin expressions still used exactly as it was centuries ago.
- Lawyers and academics love the term—it adds clarity without sounding too technical.
- It’s considered slightly formal, but still common in everyday English.
🏁 Conclusion
Although per say and per se sound almost identical, only one is grammatically correct.
Per se is a Latin phrase meaning “by itself” or “in itself,” while per say is a common spelling mistake with no meaning.
Now you understand the difference—and the next time someone writes per say, you’ll instantly know how to correct it with confidence.
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