Por vs. Para uses

Para Think of para as an arrow. Para goes ahead, away from its origin towards its destination, usually in a direct, straight route. Think of para as an arrow. Para goes ahead, away from its origin towards its destination, usually in a direct, straight route. Para can be placed into 4 categories: Destination, purpose, deadline, and standard Para can be placed into 4 categories: Destination, purpose, deadline, and standard

Destination Indicates real or figurative destinations: Para tells us where something is going, could go, or should go. Translates as for. Indicates real or figurative destinations: Para tells us where something is going, could go, or should go. Translates as for. Ex) Real/Physical Ex) Real/Physical Este jabón es para el baño. The soap is for the bathroom. Este jabón es para el baño. The soap is for the bathroom. Ex) Figurative/Metaphorical Ex) Figurative/Metaphorical Mi casa buena para la fiesta. My house is good for the party. Mi casa buena para la fiesta. My house is good for the party. Expresses the recipient of an action: Para not only tells us where, but to whom something is going. Translates as for. Expresses the recipient of an action: Para not only tells us where, but to whom something is going. Translates as for. Ex)- Tengo el dinero para Juan. I have the money for John. Ex)- Tengo el dinero para Juan. I have the money for John.

Destination Indicates direction and/or final travel destination: Para only concerns itself with the final destination in a trip. Use it to describe where you want to end up. Translates as to or for. Indicates direction and/or final travel destination: Para only concerns itself with the final destination in a trip. Use it to describe where you want to end up. Translates as to or for. Ex)- Los astronautas van para la luna. The astronauts go to the moon. Ex)- Los astronautas van para la luna. The astronauts go to the moon.

Destination Indicates aim or objective of an action (+ profession): Para is used to indicate the final destination of your studies. The verb to be is understood and doesnt need to be included in your sentences. Note: the profession remains singular even when the subject is plural. Indicates aim or objective of an action (+ profession): Para is used to indicate the final destination of your studies. The verb to be is understood and doesnt need to be included in your sentences. Note: the profession remains singular even when the subject is plural. Ex)- Ella estudia para electricista. She is studying to be an electrician. Ex)- Ella estudia para electricista. She is studying to be an electrician.

Purpose Expresses purpose (before an infinitive): Use para to describe what soemthing does or what it is for. Translates as for. Expresses purpose (before an infinitive): Use para to describe what soemthing does or what it is for. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Una pluma es para escribir. The pen is for writing. Una pluma es para escribir. The pen is for writing. Tells why one does something; in order to (before an infinitive): Use para to give the reason for doing something. Translates as for or in order to. Tells why one does something; in order to (before an infinitive): Use para to give the reason for doing something. Translates as for or in order to. Ex) Ex) Estudiamos para aprender. We study in order to learn Estudiamos para aprender. We study in order to learn

Deadline Expresses a specific time limit or deadline (in the future): Translates as by; sometimes as for, on, or before. Expresses a specific time limit or deadline (in the future): Translates as by; sometimes as for, on, or before. Ex) Ex) Necesito la ropa para el jueves. I need the clothes by Thursday. Necesito la ropa para el jueves. I need the clothes by Thursday. Expresses a limited timespan in the future: Use para to encompass a timespan that describes an action that stretches over a specific period of time in the future. Translates as for. Expresses a limited timespan in the future: Use para to encompass a timespan that describes an action that stretches over a specific period of time in the future. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Él tiene empleo para el verano. He has work for the summer. Él tiene empleo para el verano. He has work for the summer.

Standard Expresses a comparison to a certain standard: Use para to draw attention and make a comparison to a distinction that goes beyond the norm. Translates as for. Expresses a comparison to a certain standard: Use para to draw attention and make a comparison to a distinction that goes beyond the norm. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Paco es alto para su edad. Paco is tall for his age. Paco es alto para su edad. Paco is tall for his age. Expresses an opinion or personal standard: In order to say In my opinion, you can say em mi opinión, or you can say para mí. Translates as for. Expresses an opinion or personal standard: In order to say In my opinion, you can say em mi opinión, or you can say para mí. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Para mí, el español es hermoso. In my opinion, Spanish is beautiful. Para mí, el español es hermoso. In my opinion, Spanish is beautiful.

Por Think of por like a balance scale; it is the greatest equalizer. Think of por like a balance scale; it is the greatest equalizer. Por can be placed into six categories: duration, substitution, motivation, movement, emotions, and idioms. Por can be placed into six categories: duration, substitution, motivation, movement, emotions, and idioms.

duration Expresses duration of time: Use por to tell how long something lasts. Translates as for. Expresses duration of time: Use por to tell how long something lasts. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Cada día trabajamos por ocho horas. Every day we work for eight hours. Cada día trabajamos por ocho horas. Every day we work for eight hours. Indicate periods of time during the 24-hour day: Por used before la mañana, la tarde, la noche, or el día indicates an unspecific amount of time, yet it implies that whatever is taking place lasts a while. Translates as for, at, during, on, or throughout. Indicate periods of time during the 24-hour day: Por used before la mañana, la tarde, la noche, or el día indicates an unspecific amount of time, yet it implies that whatever is taking place lasts a while. Translates as for, at, during, on, or throughout. Ex) Ex) Tenemos clase por la noche. We have clase at night. Tenemos clase por la noche. We have clase at night.

duration Expresses the English use of the Latin term per: Use por to indicate duration or an amount of a whole. Expresses the English use of the Latin term per: Use por to indicate duration or an amount of a whole. Ex) Ex) Él lee tres libros por mes. He reads three books per month Él lee tres libros por mes. He reads three books per month

substitution substitution Indicates an equal exchange or trade: Indicates the equality of the things it seperates. Translates as for. Indicates an equal exchange or trade: Indicates the equality of the things it seperates. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Pagué cinco dólares por la pizza. I paid five dollars for the pizza. Pagué cinco dólares por la pizza. I paid five dollars for the pizza. Expresses substitution (in/on behalf of, in place of): Use por to indicate the substitution of something or someone for something else. Translates as for, in/on behalf of, or in place of. Expresses substitution (in/on behalf of, in place of): Use por to indicate the substitution of something or someone for something else. Translates as for, in/on behalf of, or in place of. Ex) Ex) El vicepresidente habla por el presidente. The vice- president speaks on behalf of the president. El vicepresidente habla por el presidente. The vice- president speaks on behalf of the president.

substitution substitution Expresses thanks or gratitude: Expressing gratitude for a gift or other item, use por. Translates as for. Expresses thanks or gratitude: Expressing gratitude for a gift or other item, use por. Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Gracias por las flores. Thank you for the flowers. Gracias por las flores. Thank you for the flowers.

motivation motivation Indicates having done something or because of (por + infinitive): Por placed before an infinitive usually translates as because of or due to. Reveals the motive for the actions. The verb must be an infinitive and translates into English as a gerund ending in –ing. Indicates having done something or because of (por + infinitive): Por placed before an infinitive usually translates as because of or due to. Reveals the motive for the actions. The verb must be an infinitive and translates into English as a gerund ending in –ing. Ex Ex Por ganar la lotería, ellos son ricos. Due to winning the lottery, they are rich. Por ganar la lotería, ellos son ricos. Due to winning the lottery, they are rich. Expresses a motive for doing something: Use por to explain why a person did something because of a specific motive. Translates as for or because of. Expresses a motive for doing something: Use por to explain why a person did something because of a specific motive. Translates as for or because of. Ex) Ex) Vamos a la tienda por mantequilla. Were going to the store for butter. Vamos a la tienda por mantequilla. Were going to the store for butter.

motivation Tells why something or someone is a certain way (por + noun or infinitive): use por to tell why something is the way it is because a certain event. Translates as for, or due to, or because of. Tells why something or someone is a certain way (por + noun or infinitive): use por to tell why something is the way it is because a certain event. Translates as for, or due to, or because of. Ex) Ex) Soy más fuerte por la experiencia. I am stronger because of the experience. Soy más fuerte por la experiencia. I am stronger because of the experience.

movement Expresses means of transportation: Use por to tell how you are getting somewhere, no matter what mode of transportation. Translates as by or no. Expresses means of transportation: Use por to tell how you are getting somewhere, no matter what mode of transportation. Translates as by or no. Common forms of transportation: Common forms of transportation: Por autobús by buspor ferrocarril, tren by rail, train Por autobús by buspor ferrocarril, tren by rail, train Por avión by planepor coche (carro) by car Por avión by planepor coche (carro) by car Note: The preposition en is also used in this way: en coche… Note: The preposition en is also used in this way: en coche… Ex Ex Martín va al trabajo por autobús. Martin goes to work on the bus. Martín va al trabajo por autobús. Martin goes to work on the bus. Expresses means of sending messages or information: Use por to talk about sending a message. Translates as by, on, or via. Expresses means of sending messages or information: Use por to talk about sending a message. Translates as by, on, or via. Common forms of messaging : Common forms of messaging : Por computadoraby computerpor by Por computadoraby computerpor by Por correoby mailpor fax-by fax Por correoby mailpor fax-by fax Por correo electrónico- by por teléfonoby phone Por correo electrónico- by por teléfonoby phone Ex) Ex) Le envío un regalo por correo. Im sending him a gift by mail. Le envío un regalo por correo. Im sending him a gift by mail.

movement Indicates the point of a temporary stop: Indicate a temporary stop between now and your final destination by using por. Translates as by or through. Indicates the point of a temporary stop: Indicate a temporary stop between now and your final destination by using por. Translates as by or through. Ex) Ex) Voy por el banco antes de ir al teatro. Im going by the bank before going to the theater. Voy por el banco antes de ir al teatro. Im going by the bank before going to the theater. Indicates movement in an area: Por implies that a person is already at their destination, and is moving around in a general, nonspecific direction. Translates as sorund, through, throughout, or by. Indicates movement in an area: Por implies that a person is already at their destination, and is moving around in a general, nonspecific direction. Translates as sorund, through, throughout, or by. Ex) Ex) Nos paseamos por el parque. We strolled through the park. Nos paseamos por el parque. We strolled through the park.

emotions Express a liking (or disliking) or an emotion for someone or something: Translates as for. Express a liking (or disliking) or an emotion for someone or something: Translates as for. Ex) Ex) Juan tiene mucho amor por su esposa. John has a lot of love for his wife. Juan tiene mucho amor por su esposa. John has a lot of love for his wife.

idioms Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions. Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions. Common idiomatic expressions Common idiomatic expressions Por allíaround there; that way Por allíaround there; that way Por aquíaround here; this way Por aquíaround here; this way Por ejemplofor example Por ejemplofor example Por eso (esto)therefore Por eso (esto)therefore Por favoras a favor; please Por favoras a favor; please Por finat last; finally Por finat last; finally

idioms Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions. Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions. Common idiomatic expressions Common idiomatic expressions Por (lo) generalas a rule; generally Por (lo) generalas a rule; generally Por medio deby means of Por medio deby means of Por lo menosat least Por lo menosat least Por primera vezfor the first time Por primera vezfor the first time Por separadoseparately Por separadoseparately Por supuestoof course Por supuestoof course Por todas parteseverywhere Por todas parteseverywhere Por todos ladosall over; everywhere Por todos ladosall over; everywhere

10 sentences for para 1. El libro es __________ la mesa. (destination) 2. La comida es __________ Juan. (destination) 3. Mis abuelos van pero el banco. (destination) 4. El libro es __________ leer. (purpose) 5. Yo necesito la revista __________ el lunes. (deadline) 6. __________ mí, fútbol es muy divertido. (standard) 7. Yo salgo __________ Chicago en jueves. (destination) 8. El helado es __________ antes cena. (purpose) 9. Yo necesito el libro __________ el domingo. (deadline) 10. __________ mí, la cena es muy rico. (standard)

10 sentences for por 1. Yo escribí __________ dos horas. (duration) 2. Ella bailó __________ la noche. (duration) 3. Yo pago tres dólares __________ el periódico. (substitution) 4. Yo hablé __________ mi hermano. (substitution) 5. Gracias __________ el regalo. (substitution) 6. __________ comer mucha comida, yo estoy enfermo. (motivation) 7. Ella es muy inteligente __________ estudiat mucho. (motivation) 8. Yo voy al trabajo __________ coche.(movement) 9. __________ fin, yo como unas comida. (idioms) 10. Yo mandé una carta __________ correo. (movement)