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Spanish > Por-Para Rules > Flashcards

Por-Para Rules Flashcards

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1
Q

employed by

A

para

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2
Q

Para is used to indicate the destination of something in a real, physical sense or in a figurative, metaphorical sense.

A
  1. Las toallas son para el baño. The towels are for the bathroom.
  2. Salimos para las islas del Caribe mañana. We leave for the Caribbean Islands tomorrow.
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3
Q

in exchage for

A

por

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4
Q

to express an undetermined, or general time, meaning “during”

A

Por

Se puede ver las estrellas por la noche.
One can see the stars during the night.

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5
Q

tells why someone does something ( ‘in order to’)

A

para

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6
Q

to express a length of time

A

por

Yo estudié por dos horas.
I studied for two hours

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7
Q

Preposition: para
The reasons for using para can easily be remembered with the acronym PRODDS. Each word below represents one of the reasons, and they’re all explained in detail in the following sections.

A

Purpose

Recipient

Opinion

Destination

Deadline

Standard

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8
Q

Purpose
Para is used with an infinitive to express the purpose of doing something. Sometimes in English, purpose is stated using the preposition “for.” The phrase “in order to” is sometimes used in front of an infinitive to indicate purpose, but in English it is not necessary to use anything at all in such expressions. In Spanish, the preposition para is required even if the English equivalent is understood rather than stated. The following examples show the use of para when the speaker is stating a purpose:

A

Trabajamos para ganar dinero.
We work to earn money.

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9
Q

In some cases the English sentence will use the preposition “for” followed by a gerund. Remember that a verb that immediately follows a preposition will always be in its infinitive form in Spanish.

A

Esta agua es para beber.
This water is for drinking.

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10
Q

Recipient

  1. The intended recipient of an object is indicated with the preposition para.
  2. An exception to this rule is when you want to express the recipient of an emotion, which is done with por.
A
  1. Yo traje la comida para mi abuela. I brought the meal for my grandmother.
  2. Siento mucho amor por mi abuela.
    I feel much love for my grandmother.
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11
Q

Para is also used to indicate a personal opinion.

A

Para mí los derechos humanos son importantes.

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12
Q

Deadline
Para is used to indicate a deadline or due date.

A
  1. El proyecto es para el veinte de mayo.The project is due the 20th of May.
  2. Es necesario terminar el programa para las dos. It’s necessary to finish the program by two o’clock.
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13
Q

Standard
The standard is what is considered “normal.” To express that something strays from the norm in English, the preposition “for” is used in an expression like, “She’s very cool for a teacher.” In other words, she isn’t all that cool, it’s just that she’s cooler than the standard that is considered typical for a teacher.

In Spanish, this expression of something that is contrary to the established or understood standard is stated using para.

A
  1. Su hijo sabe mucho para su edad. His son knows a lot for his age.
  2. Para ser extranjera, ella habla inglés bien. For being a foreigner, she speaks English well.
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14
Q

Preposition: por
The reasons for using por can easily be remembered with the acronym DEEMMMS. Each word below represents one of the reasons, and they’re all explained in detail in the following sections.

A

Duration

Emotions

Exchange

Motivation

Means

Movement

Substitution

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15
Q

Duration
Por is used to express the duration of time or the length of time that something lasts.

A
  1. Vivimos en Puerto Rico por dos años. We lived in Puerto Rico for two years.
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16
Q

Emotion
The recipient of an emotion is expressed with the preposition por. Don’t forget that para is used for the recipient of everything other than emotions.

A

Su amor no es por mí.
His/her love is not for me.

17
Q

Exchange
When one thing is exchanged for another, por is used to express “for,” as in when money is exchanged for something.

Whether or not you realize it, when you thank someone, you are exchanging your words of gratitude for something that has been done for you or given to you. For this reason, por is used after gracias or the verb agradecer (to thank).

A

Talia pagó veinte dólares por los zapatos.* Talia paid twenty dollars for the shoes.*

Quiero darte mi coche por tu coche.I want to give you my car (in exchange) for your car.

En España, los niños les agradecen a los Reyes Magos por los regalos. In Spain, the children thank the Three Wise Men for the gifts.

Te doy las gracias por tu ayuda. I give you thanks for your help

18
Q

Motivation
It is difficult to differentiate between motivation (which is expressed with por) and purpose (which is expressed with para). Motivation is the equivalent to the English expression “due to.” If you could replace the Spanish preposition with “due to,” then the Spanish preposition should be por. Motivation is the cause behind it rather than the goal in front of it.

A

Tengo muchas muestras de champú por el viaje de negocios.I have many samples of shampoo due to the business trip.

Tengo muchas muestras de champú para el viaje.I have many samples of shampoo for the trip.

19
Q

There are also a few verbs that are consistently followed by the preposition por to indicate motivations. Andar (to walk), caminar (to walk), ir (to go) , regresar (to return), volver (to return), enviar (to send), and similar verbs will be followed by por when the purpose or motive is being provided.

A

Ellos van a la tienda por la leche.
They go to the store for milk.

Raul regresó por la comida de su madre.
Raul returned for his mother’s food.

20
Q

Means (of communication or transportation)
When you want to indicate a means of communication or transportation, por is used.

A
  • por autobús
  • por avión
  • por barco
  • por computadora
  • por correo
  • por escrito
  • por medio de
  • por teléfono
21
Q

Movement (in an area)
While it’s misleading to translate an English preposition to a Spanish preposition, you should use por anytime the idea expresses “through,” “by,” or “along.” Por indicates movement within an area.

A

Viajamos por los pueblos blancos de la Costa del Sol
We traveled through the whitewashed villages of the Costa del Sol.

Caminamos por las orillas del río.
We walked by the bank of the river.

Ella sigue por la calle principal.
She continues along the main street.

Spanish (14 decks)

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