per / per a (finalitat)

Per and Per a for Cause, Use and Recipient

Level 4

Per commonly marks cause, route, means or agent; per a commonly marks a recipient or intended destination.

How It Works

Compare una multa per l'incompliment, caused by a failure to comply, with una ajuda per als centres, intended for the centers. With nouns, the difference in relationship often makes the choice clear. Apply the usual contractions: pel and per al are not interchangeable shapes.

Before an infinitive, accepted formal practice varies by regional model and by the relation between the agent and the intended action. Do not impose a universal rule that every English to or for must become per a. Keep the chosen standard coherent.

Purpose can also be expressed explicitly with perquè plus subjunctive or per tal que. These finite constructions help when the intended actor differs from the main clause's actor.

Examples (3)

  1. Ho han fet per necessitat.

    They did it out of necessity.

  2. Aquests fons són per als centres.

    These funds are for the centers.

  3. Hem passat pel pont.

    We crossed by way of the bridge.

How It Connects

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per / per a (finalitat)Level 4Per and Per a for Cause, Use and Recipient

Learn This First

Identify per and per a relationships before applying them in advanced purpose phrases.

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