POR vs PARA Flashcards
Rule: to express gratitude or apology
POR
Gracias por la ayuda.
Thanks for the help.
Rule: for multiplication and division
POR
Dos por dos son cuatro.
Two times two equals four.
Rule: for velocity, frequency and proportion
POR
Voy al restaurante cinco veces por semana.
I go to the restaurant five times per week.
Rule: meaning “through,” “along,” “by” or “in the area of”
POR
Andamos por el parque.
We walk through the park.
Rule: when talking about exchange, including sales
POR
Él me dio diez dólares por el libro.
He gave me ten dollars for the book.
Rule: to mean “on behalf of,” or “in favor of,”
POR
No voté por nadie.
I didn’t vote for anyone.
Rule: to express a length of time
POR
Yo estudié por dos horas.
I studied for two hours.
Rule: to express an undetermined, or general time, meaning “during”
POR
Se puede ver las estrellas por la noche.
One can see the stars during the night.
Rule: for means of communication or transportation
POR
Prefiero viajar por tren y hablar por teléfono.
I prefer to travel by train and speak by phone.
Rule: in cases of mistaken identity, or meaning “to be seen as”
POR
Me tienen por loco.
They take me for crazy.
Rule: to show the reason for an errand (with ir, venir, pasar, mandar, volver, and preguntar)
POR
Paso por ti a las ocho.
I’ll come by for you at eight o’clock.
Rule: when followed by an infinitive, to express an action that remains to be completed
POR
Use por + infinitive
La cena está por cocinar.
(Dinner has yet to be cooked.)
Rule: to express cause or reason
POR
El hombre murió por falta de agua.
The man died for lack of water.
Rule: “estar xxx” means to be in the mood, or inclined to do something
POR
Estoy por tomar café.
I’m in the mood for drinking coffee.
Rule: in passive constructions
The book was written by…
The table was made by…
POR
El libro fue escrito por Octavio Paz.
The book was written by Octavio Paz.
