per + Duration
'Per' for a Completed Duration
The preposition per is used to indicate how long an action lasts. It views time as a complete, bounded block, whether the action is finished, future, or habitual.
How It Works
The pattern per + durata (complement of continued time) is the standard way to express a finite interval of time.
1. Bounded Blocks of Time: Unlike 'da', which focuses on the starting point of an ongoing action, 'per' focuses on the total duration. This applies to:
- Completed Actions: 'Ho studiato per due ore' (I studied for two hours—the session is over).
- Future Actions: 'Resterò a Roma per tre giorni' (I will stay for three days).
- Habitual Actions: 'Lavoro per otto ore al giorno' (I work for eight hours a day).
2. Omission of 'Per': In standard Italian, the preposition per is frequently omitted in all registers. Both 'Ho aspettato per un'ora' and 'Ho aspettato un'ora' are perfectly correct.
3. Key Distinctions:
- vs. da: Use da for actions that are still happening (e.g., 'Vivo qui da due anni'). Use per for a total duration.
- vs. Durante: Use durante to mean 'during' an event (e.g., 'durante il film'). Use per to express the 'quantity' of time (e.g., 'per due ore').
Examples (5)
- Ho lavorato in quella ditta per dieci anni.
I worked at that company for ten years.
Word by Word: I have worked in that company for ten years.
The use of 'per' with the past tense indicates the ten-year period is viewed as a completed block of time.
- Studio per tre ore ogni giorno.
I study for three hours every day.
Word by Word: I study for three hours every day.
In the present tense, 'per' is used to describe the duration of a habitual action.
- Andrò in vacanza in Sardegna per due settimane.
I will go on vacation to Sardinia for two weeks.
Word by Word: I will go in vacation in Sardinia for two weeks.
Here, 'per' defines a specific, planned block of time in the future.
- Abbiamo camminato tre ore nel bosco.
We walked (for) three hours in the woods.
Word by Word: We have walked three hours in the woods.
This example shows that 'per' is often omitted in standard Italian across all registers when the duration is clear.
- Ho dormito durante la lezione.
I slept during the lesson.
Word by Word: I have slept during the lesson.
Contrast this with 'per': 'durante' indicates when something happened, while 'per' indicates how long it lasted.
Common Mistakes
Using 'per' for a time that is still running.
Different MeaningStudio italiano per due anni.Studio italiano da due anni.'Studio italiano per due anni' is correct, but it says the study lasts two years (a plan or a fixed period). To say you started two years ago and still study, use 'da': 'Studio italiano da due anni'.
Using 'per' for how long you cleaned.
Different MeaningHo pulito la casa per venti minuti.Ho pulito la casa in venti minuti.'Ho pulito la casa per venti minuti' is correct, but it only says how long you cleaned. To say you finished the whole house in that time, use 'in'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'per' for duration, a learner must be able to form past tenses to describe completed actions and use cardinal numbers to specify the length of time. A basic understanding of simple prepositions is also required.
- Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are essential for expressing the specific quantity of time (days, months, years) that the action lasted.
Level 1 - avere + Past ParticiplePresent Perfect with 'Avere'
Since 'per + durata' is used to describe completed actions, learners need to know how to form the past tense to use it in context (e.g., 'Ho vissuto...').
Level 2 - Simple Prepositions
Understanding 'per' as a simple preposition is a fundamental building block for using it in specific temporal constructions.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- da + Duration'Da' for Duration (Present)
'Da' is the counterpart to 'per'; it is used for durations that are still ongoing in the present.
Level 2 - per + Destination / Purpose'Per' (Destination, Purpose, Duration)
This covers the other common uses of the preposition 'per', such as destination or purpose.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice per + Duration in Bubblegum
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