Italian Time Expressions: Fa, Scorso, Prossimo, Da — The Rules English Speakers Always Get Wrong

Talking about time in Italian is more precise than in English — different prepositions and time words require specific verb tenses, and a small mistake can shift your meaning entirely. Once you understand the key structures, though, expressing time in Italian becomes second nature. The distinction between 'da' (ongoing) and 'per' (completed) is particularly important — and it is one that trips up English speakers constantly, because English uses 'for' in both situations. Italian doesn't.

The word 'fa' (ago) always follows the time expression and is used with the passato prossimo or passato remoto. Compare with English where 'ago' also follows the time: 'tre anni fa' = 'three years ago'. Never put 'fa' before the time expression — this is one of those rules that is easy to memorise and just as easy to forget under pressure.

'Scorso' (last) comes after the noun and its article: la settimana scorsa, il mese scorso, l'anno scorso. 'Prossimo' (next) works the same way: la settimana prossima, il mese prossimo, l'anno prossimo. Both agree in gender with the noun. Note the pattern: scorso and prossimo always follow — unlike English where 'last' and 'next' always precede.

The preposition 'da' is crucial for expressing how long something has been going on and still is — an ongoing situation that started in the past. Use 'da' + time expression with the PRESENT tense (not the perfect as in English). This is one of the most common errors for English speakers, who instinctively reach for the past tense.

For a completed duration (how long something lasted and is now finished), use 'per' + time expression with the past tense: 'Ho vissuto a Napoli per due anni' (I lived in Naples for two years — and no longer do). The difference is simple: da = still happening, per = finished.