5 exercises — practise placing "per se" directly after the phrase it qualifies.
0 / 8 completed
1 / 8
Which sentence correctly places "per se" immediately after the noun phrase it qualifies?
"The framework isn't the problem per se..." correctly places "per se" right after the noun phrase "the problem" that it qualifies, denying that the framework alone is the issue. Option B inserts it before the noun instead of after. Option C duplicates it in both clauses and misplaces the first instance. Option D wrongly moves it to the front of the sentence, where it has nothing to attach to.
2 / 8
Which sentence correctly uses "per se" to deny that a single named cause is, by itself, sufficient to explain a result?
"It isn't the query per se that's slow..." correctly follows the noun phrase "the query" with "per se" before continuing the clause. Option B places it before the noun. Option C and D add redundant or misplaced instances of "per se" that don't attach directly after the qualified noun phrase.
3 / 8
Which sentence correctly uses "per se" to concede that something is technically true in isolation, while implying a further qualification follows?
"...nothing wrong with the algorithm per se, but it doesn't scale..." correctly places "per se" right after the noun phrase "the algorithm", conceding the isolated claim before the contrasting clause. Option B inserts it awkwardly before "wrong". Option C moves it to the sentence start, detached from any noun. Option D buries it inside the contrasting clause where it modifies nothing.
4 / 8
Which sentence correctly uses "per se" after a plural noun phrase in a formal technical explanation?
"The tests aren't flaky per se; the shared fixture..." correctly places "per se" directly after the adjective phrase "flaky" that it qualifies, in line with standard postpositive placement. Option B inserts it mid-clause before the adjective. Option C fronts it with nothing to modify. Option D adds a redundant second instance.
5 / 8
Which sentence correctly uses "per se" to draw a precise distinction in a code review comment?
"I'm not against the refactor per se..." correctly places "per se" after the full prepositional phrase "against the refactor" that it qualifies. Options B, C, and D each insert "per se" before the phrase or noun instead of immediately after it, which is not the standard postpositive placement.
6 / 8
API Response: The API returned status code 409 Conflict and a message stating 'The resource exists per se.' What does this response primarily indicate?
The 'per se' qualifier here isn't about confirming the existence of the resource itself. It highlights that the conflict arises regardless of whether it *should* exist. The 409 Conflict status code signifies a situation where an attempt to modify or create a resource is blocked because another operation (likely a concurrent request) has already changed its state, irrespective of any prior conditions.
7 / 8
API Response: The API returned status code 409 Conflict and a message stating 'The resource exists per se.' What does this response primarily indicate?
The 'per se' qualifier here isn't about confirming the existence of the resource itself. It highlights that the conflict arises regardless of whether it *should* exist. The 409 Conflict status code signifies a situation where an attempt to modify or create a resource is blocked because another operation (likely a concurrent request) has already changed its state, irrespective of any prior conditions.
8 / 8
Sarah, the senior engineer, left this comment on a PR:
"The function handles null values per se. We've addressed the edge case explicitly in the next iteration."
'Per se' here functions as a postpositive qualifier, acknowledging a current state is acceptable but implying further development. Sarah isn't admitting a fundamental flaw; she's stating that the existing handling *is* sufficient for now. The key is understanding it sets a stage for improvement, not a declaration of failure.
What will I practise in ""Per Se" as a Postpositive Qualifier — IT Grammar Exercise"?
Practise placing the fixed Latin qualifier "per se" immediately after the noun or adjective phrase it modifies, typically in negated clauses that deny a single
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 8 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
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Every exercise is written by the CoderSlingo team, drawing on real workplace English used in IT roles, then reviewed for accuracy and clarity.