per say (per se)

'Per se' is the correct Latin phrase. Many people write 'per say' because it sounds the same, but that's a spelling error.

Below: what 'per se' means, quick punctuation and spacing rules, copyable wrong/right pairs for work, school and casual use, rewrite templates, and a short checklist to fix sentences fast.

Quick answer

'Per se' (two words) is correct. 'Per say' is a phonetic misspelling. The phrase means 'by itself' or 'in itself.'

Write: per se (two words). Do not write: per say, per-say, perse or persay.
Meaning: 'in itself' or 'by itself' - use it to single out an intrinsic quality.
Punctuation: set it off with commas when parenthetical ('The idea, per se, is fine.'); commas optional when it ends a clause ('The idea isn't bad per se.').

Core explanation

From Latin: per = 'by', se = 'self'. In English it functions as a two-word adverbial phrase meaning 'by itself' or 'in itself'.

Use it to isolate a feature from consequences: 'The product, per se, is fine; the support is the problem.'
Don't use it as a casual intensifier (it's not a synonym for 'actually' or 'really').

Grammar notes - punctuation, placement and register

When 'per se' interrupts a sentence, use commas. When it sits at the end of a clause, commas are usually unnecessary. The phrase reads as neutral-to-formal, so it fits academic, legal, and professional contexts.

Parenthetical: 'The clause, per se, doesn't apply.'
Integrated at end: 'The clause doesn't apply per se.'
Tone: prefer plain phrases ('in itself', 'by itself', 'strictly speaking') in casual writing for clarity.

Spacing and hyphenation pitfalls

'Per se' is two separate words. Don't fuse or hyphenate it. Italics are optional for foreign phrases, but correct letters and spacing matter most.

Correct: 'per se' (two words).
Incorrect: 'per say', 'per-say', 'perse', 'persay'.
Example fixes: Wrong: 'We accept it perse.' →
Right: 'We accept it per se.' ;
Wrong: 'This is per-say true.' →
Right: 'This is per se true.'

Real usage and tone

Use 'per se' to separate an intrinsic property from related effects. For broad readability, choose plain English instead.

Academic/legal: 'per se' signals analytic precision.
Work emails: acceptable but use sparingly; plain wording often speeds understanding.
Casual speech: prefer 'in itself' or 'by itself'.
Examples: Work: 'The feature, per se, meets the spec; deployment is the blocker.'
School: 'The experiment, per se, produced consistent readings; the sample was small.'
Casual: 'I don't dislike him per se - I just find him exhausting at parties.'

Examples and corrections - copyable wrong/right pairs

Common misspelling: 'per say'. Below are realistic wrong/right pairs you can copy.

Work - Wrong: 'Per say, the contract allows early termination.' →
Right: 'Per se, the contract allows early termination.'
Work - Wrong: 'We don't have a policy per say for overseas travel.' →
Right: 'We don't have a policy per se for overseas travel.'
Work - Wrong: 'The module per say is fine; integration fails.' →
Right: 'The module, per se, is fine; integration fails.'
School - Wrong: 'The hypothesis isn't flawed per say.' →
Right: 'The hypothesis isn't flawed per se.'
School - Wrong: 'Per say, the theorem holds under these axioms.' →
Right: 'Per se, the theorem holds under these axioms.'
School - Wrong: 'He's not cheating per say; he's collaborating.' →
Right: 'He's not cheating per se; he's collaborating.'
Casual - Wrong: 'I don't hate pizza per say.' →
Right: 'I don't hate pizza per se; I just prefer pasta.'
Casual - Wrong: 'That color isn't ugly per say - it's bold.' →
Right: 'That color isn't ugly per se - it's bold.'
Casual - Wrong: 'He's not rude per say, just blunt.' →
Right: 'He's not rude per se; he's just blunt.'

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the phrase alone. Context usually decides whether 'per se' fits or a plain alternative is clearer.

Rewrite patterns - quick templates

Three reliable templates and sample rewrites you can paste immediately.

Template A (plain): 'in itself' / 'by itself'.
Template B (formal): 'strictly speaking'.
Template C (analytical): 'as such' / 'considered on its own'.

Original: 'The module per se is fine.' →
Rewrite: 'The module, in itself, is fine; integration is the issue.'
Original: 'Per say, the data is inconclusive.' →
Rewrite: 'Strictly speaking, the data is inconclusive.'
Original: 'I don't like him per say.' →
Rewrite: 'I don't dislike him by itself; it's his attitude I don't like.'
Original: 'The rule isn't bad per se.' →
Rewrite: 'The rule isn't bad in itself.'
Original: 'Per say, this approach is okay.' →
Rewrite: 'As such, this approach is acceptable.'
Original: 'He's not mean per say; he can be thoughtless.' →
Rewrite: 'He's not mean, strictly speaking; he can be thoughtless.'

Fix your own sentence - a 5-step editing checklist

Search: find 'per say', 'per-say', 'perse' and correct to 'per se'.
Punctuate: add commas if the phrase interrupts the sentence.
Replace if needed: try 'in itself' or 'strictly speaking' for more clarity.
Read aloud: make sure it sounds natural in context.
Consistency: keep phrasing consistent across the document unless variation helps clarity.

Check example: 'There is no bias per say in the sample.' → Step 1 replace → 'There is no bias per se in the sample.' → Step 2 add commas if the sentence needs them.

Memory trick and habit fixes

Small habits beat occasional reminders. Use a mnemonic and a quick editor rule.

Mnemonic: 'se' = 'self' → per se = 'by self' → 'by itself' (so it's 'se', not 'say').
Habit: keep a saved snippet or template with the correct phrase to paste when needed.
Tool: add a find/replace rule in your editor to flag 'per say' and suggest 'per se'.
Template to paste: 'X is not Y per se; Z explains the issue.'

Similar mistakes to watch for

Fixing 'per say' is a good moment to check other Latin phrases you might mistype.

vice versa - often written with a hyphen but two words is common in modern style.
a priori - not 'a priory'.
per annum - watch vowel swaps ('per anum' is wrong).
ad hoc - two words, not 'adhoc'.
Examples: Wrong: 'We accepted the results a priory.' →
Right: 'We accepted the results a priori.' ;
Wrong: 'The solution was adhoc.' →
Right: 'The solution was ad hoc.'

FAQ

Is it 'per se' or 'per say'?

'Per se' is correct. 'Per say' is a misspelling based on pronunciation. You can also use 'in itself' in plain writing.

Should I italicize 'per se'?

Italics are optional for brief foreign phrases. Modern style often accepts plain 'per se'. Prioritize correct spelling and spacing.

How do I punctuate 'per se'?

If it interrupts a sentence, set it off with commas: 'The idea, per se, isn't wrong.' At the end of a clause, commas are usually unnecessary: 'The idea isn't wrong per se.'

Can I use 'per se' in casual writing?

You can, but use it sparingly. For quick messages, 'in itself' or 'by itself' usually reads more clearly.

What's the fastest way to stop typing 'per say'?

Add a find/replace rule in your editor (replace 'per say' → 'per se'), keep the mnemonic 'se = self' in mind, and paste a correct template sentence when needed.

Want to catch 'per say' automatically?

Set a simple find/replace or add a grammar-checker rule to flag 'per say' and suggest 'per se'. A short template list for work, school and casual contexts saves time and prevents repeat mistakes.