Por vs. ParaGrammar Cap 4

Por and Para have the same meaning in English most of the time.

Por and Para can change meanings depending on usage.

Por and Para are easily confused if people don’t pay attention to their usage. – it can alter your intent if used wrong. You may be wanting to say one thing, but

actually say something else if you use por instead of para.

Por and Para are not interchangeable– they have their own set of rules.

Por vs. Para

A. Luciano canta para Plácido. B. Luciano canta por Plácido. Both translate as “Luciano sings for

Plácido.” In sentence A. Plácido is listening to

Luciano sing. In sentence B. Luciano is singing in

place of Plácido.

Ejemplos de las diferencias

Meaning “by” “for” “on” “before” Expresses a specific time limit or deadline in

the future. I need the paper by Monday.

(Yo) necesito el papel para lunes. Expresses a limited timespan in the future.

We have a house reserved for two weeks. (Nosotros) tenemos una casa reservada

para dos semanas.

Usos de Para-Deadlines

Meaning “for” Used when someone or something goes outside

the “norm”. For a fat dog, he runs very fast.

Para un perro gordo, él corre muy rápido.

For an old man, he dances well. Para un hombre viejo, él baila bien.

Usos de Para-Unlikely Comparisons

Meaning “for” Tells for whom or where a person works.

I worked for my dad last summer.

Yo trabajé para mi papá el verano pasado.

She works for Macy’s

Ella trabaja para Macy’s.

Usos de Para-Employment

Meaning “for” or “to” When discussing your travels around the

world or around your hometown it refers to your final destination. I travel to Spain this year in a plane.

Yo viajo para España este año en el avión.

I walk to school every morning.

Yo camino para la escuela todas las mañanas.

Usos de Para-Destination

Meaning “for” Besides people receiving something, it can

also be used when something/somewhere is receiving something. We bought the gift for you.

(Nosotros) compramos el regalo para ti.

The ring is for her.

El anillo es para ella. This soap is for the bathroom

Este jabón es para el baño. This telephone is for that office.

Este teléfono es para esa oficina.

Usos de Para-Recipient

Meaning “in order to” When using this, your verb after para must be

an infinitive. I am studying in order to learn more.

(Yo) estoy estudiando para aprender más. They work in order to pay the bills.

Ellos trabajan para pagar las cuentas.

Usos de Para-In Order To

Meaning “for” “In _____ opinion” Para mí, el español es hermoso.

In my opinion (For me), Spanish is beautiful.

Para Paco, Madrid es la mejor ciudad. In Paco’s opinion (For Paco), Madrid

is the best city.

Usos de Para-To express opinion

Deadlines Unlikely

Comparisons Employment

Destination In Order To Recipient To Express

Opinions

Para

DUE DIRT

Usos de Por

Meaning “by”, “on”, “via”. Refers not just to people but also

information. Yo viajé por tren a México.

I traveled by train to Mexico. Ella va a mandar el regalo por

correo. She is going to send the gift by

mail.

Uses of Por-Mode of travel

Meaning “because of” “reasoning being” El partido teminó por la llovía.

The game ended because of rain. Por el examen, yo me quedé.

Because of the test, I stayed home.

Uses of Por-Reason or Because of

Meaning “for” “about” “around” ‘through” “during” “at”

Used when area and time are not specific. (Yo) te voy a reunirme por la plaza.

I am going to meet you around the plaza.

(Nosotros) comemos por el mediodía. We eat around noon. Tenemos clase por la noche. We have class at night.

Uses of Por-General area/time

Meaning “by”This is used with passive voice constructions.

The book is written by Ernest Hemingway.El libro es escrito por Ernest Hemingway.The dog was found by the police.El perro fue encontrado por el policía.

Ernest Hemingway and el policía are called agents.

Usos de Por-Agent

Meaning “through” “along” “beside” “by” Used with temporary stops that are not your

final destination. (Yo) caminé por el parque ayer.

I walked through the park yesterday.

Ellos corrieron por la playa. They ran along the beach.

Voy por el banco antes de ir al teatro. I am going by the bank before

going to the theater.

Uses of por-Motion

Meaning “for” Juan tiene mucho amor por su

esposa. Juan has a lot of love for his loved one.

Tengo respecto por mis amigos. I have respect for my friends.

Uses of Por-Expressing like/dislike/ or emotion

Por can also be used in specific expressions. Por favor-Please

Por fin-Finally/at last

Por supuesto-Of course

¿Por qué?-Why?

Usos de Por-Specific Expressions

Meaning “for” “in place of” “in exchange of”. Can also be used when we freely trade or purchase something. She is going to work for me

because I am sick. Ella va a trabajar por mí porque estoy enfermo.

Pagué cinco dólares por la pizza. I paid five dollars for the pizza.

Juan cambia su manzana por una naranja. Juan exchanged his apple for an orange.

Uses of Por-Exchange/In place of/ Price

Meaning “for” When thanking someone for

something that he or she has done for you or gratitude for a gift. Gracias por las flores.

Thank you for the flowers. Gracias por tu ayuda.

Thank you for your help.

Uses of Por-Thanks or Gratitude

Meaning “per” Used when speaking of times per day,

minutes per hour, or the percentage of something. Indicates duration or an amount of a whole. Él lee tres libros por mes.

He reads three books per month. El diez por ciento no habló en clase.

Ten percent didn’t talk in class.

Uses of Por-Measurement

Meaning “for” Telling how long something lasts.

Cada día trabajamos por ocho horas. Every day we work for 8 hours.

Ellos van de vacaciones por dos semanas. They go on vacation for two weeks.

Uses of Por-Duration of Time

Meaning “to get” “to obtain” “to pick up” Mom went to the store for bread.

Mamá fue a la tienda por el pan. She left for ice cream.

Ella salió por el helado.

Uses of Por-Purpose or Goal

Mode of travel Reason/Because of General area/time Agent Motion Expressing

like/dislike/or emotion

Specific Expressions

Exchange/in place of/price

Review of por-When do you use it?