A2preposition 1K

Per

UK /["/pə(r)//pɜː(r)/"]/ US /["/pər//pɜːr/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

used to express the cost or amount of something for each person, number used, distance travelled, etc.

Listen to definition

In simple words: for each or by means of.

Examples

• Rooms cost £50 per person, per night.
• 60 **miles per hour**
• France consumes around 200 000 tonnes of cocoa **per year**.
• This country has a higher crime rate per 100 000 of the population than most other European countries.
• The work was carried out as per instructions.
• Everyone blamed me as per usual.

Usage notes

Use 'per' when giving rates or amounts, like 'per hour' or referencing a rule, like 'as per your request'. It’s formal and often appears in written English.

Grammar pattern

per + noun or object

Memory hint

Think of 'per' as a 'pair' of things, each having a value.

Collocations

• per person
• per day
• per month
• per the agreement

Synonyms

• for each
• according to
• by
• in relation to

Antonyms

• excluding
• less than

Common mistakes

• 'Per' is sometimes confused with 'by', especially in informal contexts.
• 'Per' is often improperly used with plural nouns (e.g., 'per items' instead of 'per item').
• Learners may forget to follow 'per' with a clear noun or amount.