How do you use per se appropriately?

Per se is handy when you need to single out a particular element of a bigger thing. So you might say, “The song, per se, wasn’t a bad choice; it was your singing voice that was atrocious.” In Latin it means “by itself.” When you want to sound a little smart, inject a per se into what you’re saying.

Do you say per se or per say?

“per say” correct, everyone! It’s not Latin itself that trips people up, per se, but it’s the spelling of the dead language. When interwoven with our everyday speech, Latin usage sometimes allows us to say our ideas in a more sophisticated tone, but this sophistication crumbles if we spell it “per say.”

Can per se be used at the end of a sentence?

Since “per se” is an adverb, it may also be positioned at the end of the sentence which would mean the same.

Should per se be italicized?

Common Latin (or other) abbreviations or words should not be italicized, including cf., e.g., ad hoc, i.e., per se, inter alia, vis-à-vis and de facto. Words or phrases which the author wishes to emphasize.

Is per se French or Latin?

Per se is a Latin phrase literally meaning “by itself.” It has the sense of “intrinsically,” or “in and of itself.” In everyday speech, it’s commonly used to distinguish between two related ideas, as in, “He’s not a sports fan per se, but he likes going to basketball games.”

Should per se be set off with commas?

Answer: No. “Per se” means “in itself.” Re-read the sentence substituting “in himself” for “per se: “He wasn’t a scientist in himself ….” So no, per se does not need to be preceded by a comma.

Is per se an academic word?

Per Se IS the formal usage. It means in, or of, itself, intrinsically. It is from the Latin and is entirely appropriate in a formal document.

Why do people misuse per se?

It is often misused in everyday speech It has become a conversational buzzword. It’s a way for people to fill in gaps between ideas. This is then subconsciously adapted by many people without fully considering the meaning. The misuse of the term is widespread, so it is an easy mistake to make.

Is per se French?

Per Se is a New American and French restaurant located on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Center at 10 Columbus Circle (at Eighth Avenue and Broadway) in Manhattan in New York City, owned by chef Thomas Keller.