Is there still a problem with the use of "pour" in this lesson?
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Adrienne B.Kwiziq community member
Is there still a problem with the use of "pour" in this lesson?
This question relates to:French lesson "Expressing for + [duration] in French with either pendant/durant/depuis/pour (French Prepositions of Time)"
Asked 7 years ago
Ron T. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
A teacher explained to me the use of "pour" for expressing duration as that it is only use in speaking of a time in the future, I am going to Paris for ten days, J'irai à Paris pour ten jours.
It is never used in expressing an event in the past that I am aware of.
Ron
Ron T. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Adrienne, Here is another explanation for the use of "pour" in expressing time duration. I find it helpful at times to check other resources to find out how that author views a question.
Pour can express the duration of an event only in the future. Note that pendant could also be used in all of these.
Je vais y habiter pour 2 mois.
I'm going to live there for 2 months.
Il étudiera en Europe pour 3 ans.
He'll study in Europe for 3 years.
Le projet est suspendu pour un an.
The project is suspended for a year.
Although the verb in the final example is not in the future, the use of pour indicates that the one-year suspension is either about to start or is currently underway. If the suspension had already occurred, you would have to use pendant:
Le projet a été suspendu pendant un an.
The project was suspended for a year.
Ron
Kwiziq community member
The main verb is in the passé composé. There is no sense of futur proche. Yet pour is the correct answer. Why?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level