Phrase: per se

Associations

"Per se" is a Latin phrase used in English to mean "by itself" or "in itself." It is often used to emphasize that something is being considered alone, without other factors.

Examples:

• The book isn't interesting per se, but the ideas inside are valuable. (The book itself is not interesting, but its ideas are.)
• The job isn't difficult per se, but it requires a lot of patience. (The job itself is not difficult, but other qualities are needed.)
• The painting isn't valuable per se, but it has historical importance. (The painting itself is not valuable in money, but it is important historically.)

Synonym: A similar phrase is "intrinsically," which means "inherently" or "naturally." The difference is that "per se" often separates something from other things, while "intrinsically" talks about the essential nature.

Substitution

Instead of "per se," you can use:

• "by itself" – The problem isn't the plan by itself, but how it is executed.
• "in itself" – The idea isn't wrong in itself.
• "as such" – The rule, as such, is not strict, but it depends on the situation.

These alternatives can slightly change the tone but keep a similar meaning.

Deconstruction

"Per se" comes from Latin:

• "Per" means "through" or "by."
• "Se" means "itself." Together, they mean "by itself" or "in itself."

This phrase entered English from legal and philosophical Latin, where precise meaning is important.

Inquiry

Think about these questions:

• Can you think of a situation where something is not bad per se, but because of other reasons it is bad?
• How would you explain the difference between "per se" and "intrinsically" in your own words?
• Can you use "per se" in a sentence about something you like or dislike?