Por y Para: The easiest Guide to Use Them Correctly. B1 B2

Por y Para: The Easiest Guide to Use Them Correctly B1.B2

“Por” and "Para" are two of the most common prepositions in Spanish, but they can be difficult for English learners to use correctly. They are often translated as "for" or "by", but there are many cases where a direct translation is not possible.

I have compiled some popular phrases that show in a direct and simple way the situations where we use "Por" and "Para" and I have placed them together with simple explanations and their translations so that you can understand their use in context.

Función - Function	Por	Para
Causa - Reason	Lo hice por ti - I did it because of you.
Medio - Means (of transportation and communication)	Siempre viajo por(en) avión.- I always travel by plane.
Modo- Manner	Lo hice por el método. - I did it by the method.
Lugar de paso, Destino - Passing place Destination.	Voy a pasar por la calle donde trabajas, ¿te busco? - I’m going to pass by the street where you work, do you want me to pick you up?	Voy para la playa. - I’m going to the beach.
Tiempo - Moment-Deadline(Only Para)	Lo haré por la tarde. - I’ll do it in(During) the afternoon.	Lo haré para mañana. - I’ll do it for tomorrow
Beneficiario - Recipient		Lo compré para ti. - I bought it for you.
Finalidad - Purpose		Lo hice para ganar dinero.- I did it (in order)to earn money
Autor - Author	Fue hecho por los mecánicos. - It was made by the mechanics.
Comparison		El árbol es tan alto como para tocar el techo - The tree is tall enough to/that touch(es) the ceiling.

Match the following phrases with the correct Function (Use)

                        Phrase                                                                         Function

Lo hice por ti. (I did it for you.)	Fecha límite - Deadline
Viajo por avión. (I travel by plane.)	Beneficiario - Recipient
Lo haré por la tarde. (I will do it in the afternoon.)	Causa o motivo - Reason
Estudio para aprender español. (I study to learn Spanish.)	Means of transportation / Communication
Lo dijo por teléfono. (He said it by phone.)	Tiempo - Time / Moment
Lo tengo para mañana. (I have it for tomorrow.)	Finalidad - Purpose
Pasé por la casa de Ana. (I passed by Ana's house.)	Modo - Manner
Lo hice para mi familia. (I did it for my family.)	Autor - Author
Fue escrito por Gabriel García Márquez. (It was written by Gabriel García Márquez.)	Comparison
El café no estaba tan caliente como para que te quemaras. (The coffee was not so hot to burn you)

Exercises:

1. Completa las oraciones con la preposición correcta - Complete these sentences with the correct preposition:

• Lo hice _____ ti. (por/para)

• Viajo _____ avión. (por/para)

• Estudio _____ aprender español. (por/para)

• Es un regalo _____ ti. (por/para)

• Voy _____ Madrid. (por/para)

2. Traduce las siguientes oraciones al español - Translate the following phrases:

• I did it for you.

• I travel by plane.

• I study to learn Spanish.

• It's a gift for you.

• I'm going to Madrid.

En pocas palabras - In a Nutshell

Por and Para can be translated into English in different ways, depending on their function in the sentence.

It is important to pay attention to the context to determine the correct translation.

The prepositions "por" and "para" are two of the most important prepositions in Spanish. Although they are sometimes translated into English as "for" or "to", it is important to understand their different uses to avoid communication errors.

For more explanations and the answers to the exercises please visit my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3bdl_myAX07pWIpN2gfow

I hope this lesson will help you identify the differences between Por and Para.