Have you ever heard someone say “iper say” and wondered if that’s the correct phrase? You’re not alone. Many English learners—and even native speakers—get tripped up by this tiny Latin expression. The confusion usually comes from how the words sound when spoken quickly.
The truth is, the correct phrase is “per se”, not “iper say.” But because English borrows so many phrases from Latin, it’s easy to mishear or misspell them. Think of it like saying “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes.” They sound similar, but only one is right.
In this article, we’ll break down the difference between “iper say” and “per se”, explore real-world examples, and show you how to use “per se” naturally in your own writing and speech. Along the way, you’ll get tables, synonym lists, grammar rules, idiomatic uses, and quick references to make learning stick.
The Correct Phrase: “Per Se” Explained
“Per se” is a Latin phrase that literally means “by itself” or “in itself.” When used in English, it highlights that something is true on its own, without needing extra conditions.
✔ Example:
- “The movie wasn’t scary per se, but it did make me uneasy.”
Here, the speaker isn’t saying the movie is outright terrifying, just that certain parts caused discomfort.
In short, “per se” emphasizes the essence of something. It’s a subtle but powerful phrase often used in academic, business, and everyday contexts.
Common Mistake: Where “IPer Say” Comes From
So, where did “iper say” come from?
- It’s a phonetic mistake. When spoken quickly, “per se” can sound like “per-say” or even “iper-say.”
- Listeners, especially non-native speakers, write it down as “iper say” without realizing the Latin origin.
- This mistake is similar to “should of” instead of “should have.”
Here’s a comparison:
| Phrase | Correct Form | Incorrect Form | Why People Confuse It |
| Per Se | ✔ Per se | ❌ IPer say | Misheard pronunciation |
| Should Have | ✔ Should have | ❌ Should of | Sound similarity |
| Intents and Purposes | ✔ For all intents and purposes | ❌ For all intensive purposes | Mishearing |
Breaking Down the Latin Origin of “Per Se”
- Per = by, through
- Se = itself, oneself
Put together, “per se” = “by itself.”
Latin phrases like this still live in English, especially in law, philosophy, medicine, and academia. Think of others like “status quo,” “vice versa,” or “et cetera.”
Real-Life Examples of “Per Se” in Sentences
Here are different contexts where you’ll see “per se”:
| Context | Example Sentence |
| Everyday Speech | “I don’t dislike the idea per se, but I think it needs refining.” |
| Business | “The product isn’t innovative per se, but it’s marketed well.” |
| Legal | “The act was not illegal per se, but it violated company policy.” |
| Academic | “Language per se doesn’t determine culture, but it influences it.” |
| Technology | “AI per se isn’t dangerous; misuse of AI is.” |
Notice how “per se” adds nuance. It softens absolute statements and adds precision.
Synonyms and Alternatives to “Per Se”
Sometimes you might want a plain-English option instead of Latin. Here are useful swaps:
| “Per Se” | Synonyms & Alternatives |
| By itself | Alone |
| In itself | Intrinsically |
| Of itself | Essentially |
| On its own | Independently |
| As such | Fundamentally |
✔ Example Rewrite:
- “The policy isn’t unfair per se.”
- “The policy isn’t unfair in itself.”
Both mean the same thing, but the second avoids Latin.
Grammar Rules for Using “Per Se” Correctly
- Always write two separate words: “per se.”
- Keep it in lowercase unless at the beginning of a sentence.
- Place commas if it interrupts the flow: “It’s not wrong, per se, but unusual.”
- Use sparingly—overusing it can sound pretentious.
Idiomatic Usage: When “Per Se” Feels Natural
Idioms are where “per se” shines. It often appears in debates, casual disagreements, or subtle clarifications.
Examples:
- “I don’t have an issue with Mondays per se, just the workload that comes with them.”
- “It’s not the cost per se, but the timing that’s the problem.”
Academic vs. Casual Use of “Per Se”
- Academic/Professional: Adds precision and clarity.
- Casual/Everyday: Adds nuance but can sound formal if overused.
✔ Example in academia:
- “The argument is not about freedom of speech per se, but about its limitations.”
✔ Example in casual talk:
- “I don’t hate pineapple pizza per se; it’s just not my go-to.”
Everyday Mistakes with “Per Se” and How to Fix Them
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Use |
| “I don’t like the rule iper say.” | Misspelling due to sound | “I don’t like the rule per se.” |
| “It’s not bad perse.” | Writing it as one word | “It’s not bad per se.” |
| “Per say, I agree with you.” | Wrong spelling | “Per se, I agree with you.” |
Side-by-Side Table: “IPer Say” vs. “Per Se”
| Feature | IPer Say | Per Se |
| Correctness | ❌ Incorrect | ✔ Correct |
| Origin | Mishearing | Latin |
| Meaning | None | “By itself” |
| Accepted in English | No | Yes |
| Usage | Common mistake | Standard |
Translation and Meaning of “Per Se” in Different Languages
| Language | Equivalent Phrase |
| Spanish | por sí mismo |
| French | en soi |
| German | an sich |
| Italian | di per sé |
| Portuguese | por si só |
“Per Se” in Legal and Academic Writing
In law, “per se” is a heavy hitter. It means something is illegal or valid by its nature without further proof.
✔ Legal Example:
- “Price-fixing agreements are illegal per se.”
In academia, it helps narrow definitions:
- “This study does not measure intelligence per se, but problem-solving ability.”
“Per Se” in Business and Corporate Communication
Managers, consultants, and marketers often use “per se” to clarify ideas.
✔ Business Example:
- “The app isn’t revolutionary per se, but it solves an important problem.”
It’s a neat way to hedge opinions without being negative.
Pop Culture and Media Usage of “Per Se”
You’ll even hear “per se” in TV shows, podcasts, and movies. Writers use it to make dialogue sound smarter or funnier.
✔ Example from media:
- “It’s not the danger per se, it’s the thrill.”
Table of Examples: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
| Incorrect | Correct |
| “I don’t dislike it iper say.” | “I don’t dislike it per se.” |
| “The car isn’t expensive perse.” | “The car isn’t expensive per se.” |
| “Per say, the rule works.” | “Per se, the rule works.” |
Alternatives Without Using Latin (Plain English Options)
Want to avoid Latin altogether? Use these instead:
- By itself
- In itself
- Alone
- On its own
- Intrinsically
✔ Example:
- “The design isn’t bad per se.”
- “The design isn’t bad on its own.”
Synonym Table: “Per Se” and Its Equivalents
| Context | “Per Se” | Alternative |
| Neutral | “Not harmful per se.” | “Not harmful in itself.” |
| Academic | “Per se influence of language.” | “Intrinsic influence of language.” |
| Business | “Not innovative per se.” | “Not innovative on its own.” |
| Casual | “Not a problem per se.” | “Not really a problem in itself.” |
When Not to Use “Per Se” (Avoid Overuse)
- Don’t sprinkle it everywhere—it can sound forced.
- Avoid in overly casual texts (like DMs).
- Don’t replace simple words with Latin unless it adds clarity.
Quick Reference Table for Learners
| Rule | Example |
| Always two words | ✔ “Per se” |
| Don’t capitalize mid-sentence | “The book isn’t funny per se.” |
| Use commas when interrupting | “It’s not wrong, per se, but unusual.” |
| Avoid misspellings | ❌ iper say / perse / per say |
Historical Background: Latin in English Idioms
“Per se” entered English during the Middle Ages, when Latin was the language of law, church, and education. Many Latin phrases stuck, giving English its formal tone in certain fields.
Examples of Latin still in use:
- Et cetera (etc.) = and so on
- Vice versa = the other way around
- Status quo = the existing state
Why the Mispronunciation “IPer Say” Sounds Right but Isn’t
Phonetically, “per se” sounds like “pur-say.” Add in accents, fast speech, and poor spelling habits, and you get “iper say.” But just because it sounds right doesn’t make it correct.
Think of it like hearing song lyrics wrong—funny, but not accurate.
Table of Commonly Misheard Phrases Like “IPer Say”
| Misheard Phrase | Correct Form |
| I could care less | I couldn’t care less |
| For all intensive purposes | For all intents and purposes |
| One in the same | One and the same |
| Escape goat | Scapegoat |
| IPer say | Per se |
Practical Writing Tips for Using “Per Se” Confidently
- Use it to qualify statements.
- Don’t capitalize unless at sentence start.
- Pair with commas when interrupting flow.
- Swap with plain-English synonyms if writing for beginners.
✔ Quick Example:
- “The idea isn’t bad per se, but it needs work.”
- “The idea isn’t bad on its own, but it needs work.”
Conclusion
So, is it “iper say” or “per se”? The answer is simple: only “per se” is correct. “Iper say” is just a mishearing that crept into everyday speech.
By understanding its Latin origin, correct spelling, and practical use, you’ll avoid embarrassing mistakes. Remember, “per se” means “by itself”—a small phrase that adds precision and sophistication to your language.
Use it wisely, not excessively, and you’ll sound clear, confident, and correct every time.
FAQs
Q1: Is it ever correct to write “iper say”?
No, “iper say” is always incorrect. The correct spelling is “per se.”
Q2: Does “per se” need italics?
In formal writing, some style guides italicize Latin terms. But in everyday English, italics aren’t required.
Q3: Can I replace “per se” with “in itself”?
Yes! “In itself,” “by itself,” and “on its own” are great plain-English alternatives.
Q4: Why do people say “iper say”?
Because “per se” sounds like “per-say,” many mishear and write it as “iper say.”
Q5: Is “per se” too formal for casual conversation?
Not necessarily. It works in casual speech, but don’t overuse it—it can sound pretentious.
