Por vs. ParaPor vs. Para

usesuses

Para Para

Think of “para” as an arrow. Para goes Think of “para” as an arrow. Para goes ahead, away from its origin towards its ahead, away from its origin towards its destination, usually in a direct, straight route. destination, usually in a direct, straight route.

Para can be placed into 4 categories: Para can be placed into 4 categories: Destination, purpose, deadline, and standard Destination, purpose, deadline, and standard

DestinationDestination Indicates real or figurative destinations: Para tells us Indicates real or figurative destinations: Para tells us

where something is going, could go, or should go. where something is going, could go, or should go. Translates as “for.”Translates as “for.”

Ex) Real/PhysicalEx) Real/Physical Este jabón es Este jabón es parapara el baño. el baño. The soap is The soap is forfor the bathroom. the bathroom.

Ex) Figurative/MetaphoricalEx) Figurative/Metaphorical Mi casa buena Mi casa buena parapara la fiesta. la fiesta. My house is good My house is good forfor the party. the party.

Expresses the recipient of an action: Para not only Expresses the recipient of an action: Para not only tells us where, but to whom something is going. tells us where, but to whom something is going. Translates as “for.”Translates as “for.”

Ex)- Ex)- Tengo el dinero Tengo el dinero parapara Juan. Juan. I have the money I have the money forfor John.John.

DestinationDestination

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

toto the moon. the moon.

DestinationDestination

Indicates aim or objective of an action (+ profession): Indicates aim or objective of an action (+ profession): Para is used to indicate the final destination of your Para is used to indicate the final destination of your studies. The verb “to be” is understood and doesn’t studies. The verb “to be” is understood and doesn’t need to be included in your sentences. Note: the need to be included in your sentences. Note: the profession remains singular even when the subject is profession remains singular even when the subject is plural.plural.

Ex)- Ella estudia Ex)- Ella estudia para para electricista. She electricista. She is studying is studying to beto be an electrician. an electrician.

PurposePurpose Expresses purpose (before an infinitive): Use Expresses purpose (before an infinitive): Use

para to describe what soemthing does or what para to describe what soemthing does or what it is for. Translates as “for.”it is for. Translates as “for.”

Ex)Ex) Una pluma es Una pluma es parapara escribir. escribir. The pen is The pen is forfor writing. writing.

Tells why one does something; “in order to” Tells why one does something; “in order to” (before an infinitive): Use para to give the (before an infinitive): Use para to give the reason for doing something. Translates as reason for doing something. Translates as “for” or “in order to.”“for” or “in order to.”

Ex)Ex) Estudiamos Estudiamos para para aprender. We study aprender. We study in order toin order to

learnlearn

DeadlineDeadline Expresses a specific time limit or deadline (in the Expresses a specific time limit or deadline (in the

future): Translates as “by”; sometimes as “for,” “on,” or future): Translates as “by”; sometimes as “for,” “on,” or “before.”“before.”

Ex)Ex) Necesito la ropa Necesito la ropa parapara el jueves. el jueves. I need the clothes I need the clothes by by Thursday.Thursday.

Expresses a limited timespan in the future: Use para to Expresses a limited timespan in the future: Use para to encompass a timespan that describes an action that encompass a timespan that describes an action that stretches over a specific period of time in the future. stretches over a specific period of time in the future. Translates as “for.”Translates as “for.”

Ex)Ex) Él tiene empleo Él tiene empleo parapara el verano. el verano. He has work He has work forfor the summer. the summer.

StandardStandard Expresses a comparison to a certain standard: Use Expresses a comparison to a certain standard: Use

para to draw attention and make a comparison to a para to draw attention and make a comparison to a distinction that goes beyond the norm. Translates as distinction that goes beyond the norm. Translates as “for.”“for.”

Ex)Ex) Paco es alto Paco es alto para para su edad. su edad. Paco is tall Paco is tall forfor his age. his age.

Expresses an opinion or personal standard: In order to Expresses an opinion or personal standard: In order to say “In my opinion,” you can say say “In my opinion,” you can say “em mi opinión,”“em mi opinión,” or or you can say you can say “para mí.”“para mí.” Translates as “for.” Translates as “for.”

Ex)Ex) Para mí,Para mí, el español es hermoso. el español es hermoso. In my opinion,In my opinion, Spanish is Spanish is

beautiful.beautiful.

PorPor

Think of por like a balance scale; it is the Think of por like a balance scale; it is the greatest equalizer.greatest equalizer.

Por can be placed into six categories: duration, Por can be placed into six categories: duration, substitution, motivation, movement, emotions, substitution, motivation, movement, emotions, and idioms.and idioms.

durationduration Expresses duration of time: Use por to tell how long Expresses duration of time: Use por to tell how long

something lasts. Translates as “for.”something lasts. Translates as “for.” Ex)Ex)

Cada día trabajamos Cada día trabajamos porpor ocho horas. ocho horas. Every day we work Every day we work forfor eight hours.eight hours.

Indicate periods of time during the 24-hour day: Por Indicate periods of time during the 24-hour day: Por used before used before la mañana, la tarde, la noche,la mañana, la tarde, la noche, or or el día el día indicates an unspecific amount of time, yet it implies indicates an unspecific amount of time, yet it implies that whatever is taking place lasts a while. Translates that whatever is taking place lasts a while. Translates as “for,” “at,” “during,” “on,” or “throughout.”as “for,” “at,” “during,” “on,” or “throughout.”

Ex)Ex) Tenemos clase Tenemos clase porpor la noche. la noche. We have clase We have clase atat night. night.

durationduration

Expresses the English use of the Latin Expresses the English use of the Latin term term per: per: Use por to indicate duration or Use por to indicate duration or an amount of a whole.an amount of a whole.Ex)Ex)

Él lee tres libros Él lee tres libros por mes.por mes. He reads three books He reads three books perper month month

substitutionsubstitution Indicates an equal exchange or trade: Indicates the Indicates an equal exchange or trade: Indicates the

equality of the things it seperates. Translates as “for.”equality of the things it seperates. Translates as “for.” Ex)Ex) Pagué cinco dólares Pagué cinco dólares porpor la pizza. la pizza. I paid five dollars I paid five dollars forfor

the pizza.the pizza. Expresses substitution (“in/on behalf of,” “in place of”): Expresses substitution (“in/on behalf of,” “in place of”):

Use por to indicate the substitution of something or Use por to indicate the substitution of something or someone for something else. Translates as “for,” someone for something else. Translates as “for,” “in/on behalf of,” or “in place of.”“in/on behalf of,” or “in place of.”

Ex)Ex) El vicepresidente habla El vicepresidente habla porpor el presidente. el presidente. The vice-The vice-

president speaks president speaks on behalf ofon behalf of the president. the president.

substitutionsubstitution

Expresses thanks or gratitude: Expresses thanks or gratitude: Expressing gratitude for a gift or other Expressing gratitude for a gift or other item, use por. Translates as “for.”item, use por. Translates as “for.”

Ex)Ex) Gracias Gracias porpor las flores. Thank you las flores. Thank you forfor the the

flowers.flowers.

motivation motivation Indicates having done something or “because of” (por Indicates having done something or “because of” (por

+ infinitive): Por placed before an infinitive usually + infinitive): Por placed before an infinitive usually translates as “because of” or “due to.” Reveals the translates as “because of” or “due to.” Reveals the motive for the actions. The verb must be an infinitive motive for the actions. The verb must be an infinitive and translates into English as a gerund ending in –ing.and translates into English as a gerund ending in –ing.

ExEx Por ganarPor ganar la lotería, ellos son ricos. la lotería, ellos son ricos. Due toDue to winning the lottery, winning the lottery,

they are rich.they are rich. Expresses a motive for doing something: Use por to Expresses a motive for doing something: Use por to

explain why a person did something because of a explain why a person did something because of a specific motive. Translates as “for” or “because of.”specific motive. Translates as “for” or “because of.”

Ex)Ex) Vamos a la tienda Vamos a la tienda porpor mantequilla. mantequilla. We’re going to the store We’re going to the store forfor

butter.butter.

motivationmotivation

Tells why something or someone is a Tells why something or someone is a certain way (por + noun or infinitive): use certain way (por + noun or infinitive): use por to tell why something is the way it is por to tell why something is the way it is because a certain event. Translates as because a certain event. Translates as “for,” or “due to,” or “because of.”“for,” or “due to,” or “because of.”

Ex)Ex) Soy más fuerte Soy más fuerte por la experiencia. por la experiencia. I am I am

strongerstronger because of because of the experience. the experience.

movementmovement Expresses means of transportation: Use por to tell how you are Expresses means of transportation: Use por to tell how you are

getting somewhere, no matter what mode of transportation. getting somewhere, no matter what mode of transportation. Translates as “by” or “no.”Translates as “by” or “no.” Common forms of transportation:Common forms of transportation:

Por autobúsPor autobús by bus by bus por ferrocarril, tren por ferrocarril, tren by rail, trainby rail, train Por avión Por avión by planeby plane por coche (carro)por coche (carro) by carby car

Note: The preposition Note: The preposition en en is also used in this way: is also used in this way: en coche…en coche… ExEx Martín va al trabajo Martín va al trabajo por autobús.por autobús. Martin goes to workMartin goes to work on the bus. on the bus.

Expresses means of sending messages or information: Use por to Expresses means of sending messages or information: Use por to talk about sending a message. Translates as “by,” “on,” or “via.”talk about sending a message. Translates as “by,” “on,” or “via.”

Common forms of messagingCommon forms of messaging:: Por computadoraPor computadora by computerby computer por e-mailpor e-mail by e-by e-

mailmail Por correoPor correo by mailby mail por faxpor fax --by faxby fax Por correo electrónico- Por correo electrónico- by e-mailby e-mail por teléfonopor teléfono by phoneby phone

Ex)Ex) Le envío un regalo Le envío un regalo por correo. por correo. I’m sending him a gift I’m sending him a gift by mail.by mail.

movementmovement Indicates the point of a temporary stop: Indicate a Indicates the point of a temporary stop: Indicate a

temporary stop between now and your final destination temporary stop between now and your final destination by using por. Translates as “by” or “through.”by using por. Translates as “by” or “through.”

Ex)Ex) Voy Voy porpor el banco antes de ir al teatro. el banco antes de ir al teatro. I’m going I’m going byby the the

bank before going to the theater.bank before going to the theater. Indicates movement in an area: Por implies that a Indicates movement in an area: Por implies that a

person is already at their destination, and is moving person is already at their destination, and is moving around in a general, nonspecific direction. Translates around in a general, nonspecific direction. Translates as “sorund,” “through,” “throughout,” or “by.”as “sorund,” “through,” “throughout,” or “by.”

Ex)Ex) Nos paseamos Nos paseamos por por el parque. el parque. We strolled We strolled throughthrough the the

park.park.

emotionsemotions

Express a liking (or disliking) or an Express a liking (or disliking) or an emotion for someone or something: emotion for someone or something: Translates as “for.”Translates as “for.”

Ex)Ex) Juan tiene mucho amor Juan tiene mucho amor por por su esposa. su esposa. John John

has a lot of love has a lot of love forfor his wife. his wife.

idiomsidioms

Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions.used in hundreds of idiomatic expressions.

Common idiomatic expressionsCommon idiomatic expressions Por allíPor allí around there; that wayaround there; that way Por aquíPor aquí around here; this wayaround here; this way Por ejemploPor ejemplo for examplefor example Por eso (esto)Por eso (esto) thereforetherefore Por favorPor favor as a favor; pleaseas a favor; please Por finPor fin at last; finallyat last; finally

idiomsidioms Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in Appears in idiomatic expressions: Por is used in

hundreds of idiomatic expressions.hundreds of idiomatic expressions. Common idiomatic expressionsCommon idiomatic expressions

Por (lo) generalPor (lo) general as a rule; generallyas a rule; generally Por medio dePor medio de by means ofby means of Por lo menosPor lo menos at leastat least Por primera vezPor primera vez for the first timefor the first time Por separadoPor separado separatelyseparately Por supuestoPor supuesto of courseof course Por todas partesPor todas partes everywhereeverywhere Por todos ladosPor todos lados all over; everywhereall over; everywhere

10 sentences for “para”10 sentences for “para”

1.1. El libro es __________ la mesa. El libro es __________ la mesa. (destination)(destination)2.2. La comida es __________ Juan. (destination)La comida es __________ Juan. (destination)3.3. Mis abuelos van pero el banco. Mis abuelos van pero el banco. (destination)(destination)4.4. El libro es __________ leer. (purpose)El libro es __________ leer. (purpose)5.5. Yo necesito la revista __________ el lunes. Yo necesito la revista __________ el lunes. (deadline)(deadline)6.6. __________ mí, fútbol es muy divertido. __________ mí, fútbol es muy divertido. (standard)(standard)7.7. Yo salgo __________ Chicago en jueves. Yo salgo __________ Chicago en jueves.

(destination)(destination)8.8. El helado es __________ antes cena. El helado es __________ antes cena. (purpose)(purpose)9.9. Yo necesito el libro __________ el domingo. Yo necesito el libro __________ el domingo.

(deadline)(deadline)10.10. __________ mí, la cena es muy rico. __________ mí, la cena es muy rico. (standard)(standard)

10 sentences for “por”10 sentences for “por”

1.1. Yo escribí __________ dos horas. (duration)Yo escribí __________ dos horas. (duration)2.2. Ella bailó __________ la noche. (duration)Ella bailó __________ la noche. (duration)3.3. Yo pago tres dólares __________ el periódico. Yo pago tres dólares __________ el periódico. (substitution)(substitution)4.4. Yo hablé __________ mi hermano. (substitution)Yo hablé __________ mi hermano. (substitution)5.5. Gracias __________ el regalo. (substitution)Gracias __________ el regalo. (substitution)6.6. __________ comer mucha comida, yo estoy enfermo. __________ comer mucha comida, yo estoy enfermo.

(motivation)(motivation)7.7. Ella es muy inteligente __________ estudiat mucho. Ella es muy inteligente __________ estudiat mucho.

(motivation)(motivation)8.8. Yo voy al trabajo __________ coche.(movement)Yo voy al trabajo __________ coche.(movement)9.9. __________ fin, yo como unas comida. __________ fin, yo como unas comida. (idioms)(idioms)10.10. Yo mandé una carta __________ correo. Yo mandé una carta __________ correo. (movement)(movement)