The difference between the linking phrases PER QUANTO and IN QUANTO

In this video I'll talk about a mistake that is often made by those learning Italian as a foreign language.

This error is related to two Italian conjunctions, or, to be precise, two linking phrases, which sound similar, but in fact have completely different meanings. On the one hand, we have the phrase PER QUANTO, on the other we have the phrase IN QUANTO.

In this video I'm gonna talk about the meaning of these linking phrases and explain when to use one or the other.

I'm Luca and this video is aimed at those who want to learn Italian well. If you want to speak Italian making the least amount of mistakes, you have come to the right place!

Learn Italian with Luca - unlearningitalian (Channel Intro)

Hi, everybody! I'm Luca and in this video I wanted to talk about a very common mistake related to conjunctions "per quanto" and "in quanto".

I said "conjunctions", but, to be precise, we should talk about "conjunctive phrases". Why? Because these linkers are a group of words, they are not one single word. A conjunction normally is one single word.

If anything, this remark reminds us that these phrases are written separately. So PER blank space QUANTO, IN blank space QUANTO.

The first error that some non-native speakers make is that they write these phrases all together. As if they were a single word.

The second mistake, which is the error I want to focus on, is due to to mixing up these words, that is, some people use "per quanto" in place of "in quanto" and vice versa.

Some may think that these 2 connective phrases are interchangeable. That is, that one can be used in place of the other. In fact, that's not the case, because these phrases have quite different meanings.

I understand that these phrases sound very similar and thus one may assume that they have a similar meaning. That's not the case, though.

But let's see what each means.

Let's start from "per quanto".

Alright. The phrase "per quanto" can be used in 3 different ways.

First of all, it can be used in place of "per quanto tempo" in direct or indirect questions.

For example, if somebody tells me that they are going to leave and be away for some days, I could ask them: "Per quanto sarai via?".

What does it mean?

How long will you remain there?

So, as you can see, we have a question, in this question we can use "per quanto" in place of "per quanto tempo". You don't need to specify the word "tempo". If I say "per quanto", everybody will understand that I'm referring to time.

It's clear that in this case I could simply say: "Quanto sarai via?" That is, I could simply say "quanto". I can simply say "quanto" or I can say "per quanto".

Similarly, if somebody tells me that I have to wait, I can ask them: "Per quanto devo aspettare?"

What does it mean?

How long should I wait (question mark).

I can ask this using "per quanto" or I can ask the same using just "quanto". I could ask: "Quanto devo aspettare?"

The same applies to subordinate clauses referring to time.

For example, I could say: "Non ho capito per quanto sarà via".

What does it mean?

I haven't understood how long he will be away. I haven't understood how many days he will stay there.

Also in this case we could say: "Non ho capito quanto starà via".

Ok, this with respect to the first meaning of "per quanto". So "per quanto" = per quanto tempo. I'd say that such meaning doesn't cause any issues.

Next, we have its second meaning.

You probably know the phrase "per quanto mi riguarda". Chances are, you have already heard similar phrases.

For example, I could say: "Per quanto mi riguarda, sono d'accordo". What does it mean? It means: I for one agree.

Another example could be: "Per quanto mi riguarda, è meglio incontrarsi di mattina". What does it mean? I for one think that it's better if we meet in the morning.

Well, such usage of "per quanto" is defined "limitativo", because in fact this phrase limits what follows. That is, it sets limits.

In particular, if somebody says "per quanto mi riguarda", they mean: I don't know what others think about it. That is, this holds true for me, I don't know what others think, though.

Similarly, if someone says "per quanto mi riguarda sono d'accordo", they want to stress that what they are saying holds true for them. That is, that they agree. But they don't know if others likewise agree.

Well, I gave you an example with "per quanto mi riguarda", because this expression is quite common. In theory, I could also do another example.

For instance, I could say: "Per quanto riguarda il problema di cui ti ho parlato ieri..." (dot-dot-dot) and next I add my sentence.

But let's move on to the third way of using "per quanto", which is the most problematic.

Ok. "Per quanto" can be used with a concessive meaning when followed by the subjunctive mood.

I'll give you an example right away!

"Per quanto io ti capisca, non sono d'accordo con la tua decisione".

What does "per quanto" mean in this case? It means: even though. So my clause could be rephrased like this: "Anche se ti capisco, non sono d'accordo con la tua decisione".

This type of sentences are called "concessive clauses" because the individual speaking is conceding, that is, accepting, something. That is, in other words, they are saying: I do understand. However, I don't agree with your decision.

Pay attention that "anche se" requires the indicative mood, whereas "per quanto" requires the subjunctive mood.

"Per quanto" is one of those linking words requiring the subjunctive mood. A while ago I made a video about Italian linking words that require the subjunctive mood. I'll add a card to it in the top corner. Check it out!

But let me give you another example.

I could say: "Per quanto sia stupido, certe cose le capisce molto bene". What does it mean? Even if he is stupid, he understands certain things very well.

The verb "essere" can be omitted. I could say: "Per quanto stupido, certe cose le capisce molto bene". What does it mean? Even if he is stupid, he understands certain things very well.

Alright. Let's move to the other linking phrase - IN QUANTO!

Well, "in quanto" can be used in 3 different ways.

First of all, it can be used to introduce a causal clause. So, in a sense, "in quanto" is close in meaning to "perché".

For example: "Non ho firmato il contratto in quanto non ero d'accordo con alcune cose". What does it mean? I didn't sign the contract because I didn't agree with some things.

Another example could be: "Non hai superato il compito in quanto hai fatto troppi errori". What does it mean? You didn't pass this test because you have made too many mistakes.

Well, in theory, there is also a colloquail version, "in quanto che", but quite frankly I suggest that you don't use it. Honestly, I find it rather gross.

Anyways, generally speaking, I suggest that you don't use "in quanto" in this way. That is, you might wanna say simply "perché". So my advice, when it comes to causal clauses, is to always use "perché" and never "in quanto".

Generally speaking, "in quanto" is more informal, colloquial, but I for one don't see the need for saying "In quanto", when you can simply say "perché".

Next, "in quanto" can also be used to form an adverbial phrase.

For example: "In quanto medico, ti sconsiglio di fare questa cosa". What does it mean? It means: speaking as a physician, I suggest that you don't do that. In other words: as a physician, I suggest that you don't do that.

Lastly, we have the phrase "in quanto a" which technically speaking is a prepositional phrase, because it includes the preposition A.

Well, "in quanto a" means as for, in respect to. So I could say: "In quanto a quello che mi hai detto ieri", "In quanto al problema di cui mi hai parlato ieri". What does it mean? As for the issue you explained to me yesterday...

So I'd say that "in quanto a" is similar to "per quanto riguarda".

I hope that everything is clear!

As you saw, these 2 conjunctions have very different meanings.

It is particularly important to remember that one has a concessive meaning similar to "anche se" (per quanto) whereas the other has a causal meaning similar to "perché" (in quanto). It's clear that these meanings are completely different.

In the top corner I'll add a card to the video I made about the linking words requiring the subjunctive mood. Check it out!