Per is a preposition that is commonly used to indicate a rate, ratio, or frequency of something with respect to another quantity or unit. It signifies "for each" or "according to each" and is derived from the Latin term "per," meaning "through" or "by means of."
In a literal sense, per denotes division or distribution. For instance, if an individual earns $10 per hour, it means they receive $10 for each hour of work completed. Similarly, if a vehicle travels at a speed of 60 miles per hour, it represents the distance covered in miles for every hour spent in motion.
Moreover, per can indicate an average or standard unit of measurement. For instance, nutritional labels on food items often include information about nutrients per serving, representing the amount of the respective nutrient contained in each standard portion. Additionally, insurance rates may be described as per $1,000 of the insured amount, indicating the premium cost for each $1,000 value being protected.
Furthermore, per can indicate a specific time frame or occupancy limit. For instance, a parking lot may have a restriction of two cars per household, implying a maximum of two vehicles allowed per household. Similarly, ticket sales for an event may be limited to three per person, indicating a maximum of three tickets that can be purchased by an individual.
In summary, per is a versatile preposition that denotes a rate, ratio, frequency, or standard unit. It is commonly used to express division, distribution, measurement, or limitation.
