5 exercises — practise placing "per se" directly after the phrase it qualifies.
0 / 5 completed
1 / 5
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 / 5
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 / 5
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 / 5
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 / 5
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.