Estructura 4.3 - Por and para

Question 1

What are uses of “Por” (1)

Answer 1

1. to express movement along, through, around, by or about
   Example: Dimos una vuelta por la ciudad. (We took a walk through the city.)
2. to indicate some sort of exchange (prices $)
   Gracias por el regalo. (Thank you for the present.)/Te doy 20 dólares por el collar. (I’ll give you 20 dollars for the necklace.)
3. to indicate a time or duration when something occurs
   Example: Trabajé por un año (I worked for a year) / Juan va a estudiar (por) dos meses
4. to express the cause or reason for an action
   Example: Enfermó por falta de ejercicio. (He got sick for lack of exercise.)
   Pedro llegó tarde por el tráfico (because of…)

Question 2

What are the uses of “Por”? (2)

Answer 2

5. to mean “in favor of”, “on behalf of”, “supporting”
   Example: Juan votó por el mejor candidato. (He voted for the best candidate.)
6. to express a means of communication or transportation
   Example: Habló con su abuela por teléfono. (She spoke with her grandmother on the phone.)
   Pedro viajó por tren = Pedro viajó en tren
7. to express a general time, meaning “during” (grupo cerrado=3)
   Example: Me gusta tomar un café por la mañana -por la tarde, por la noche. (I like to have a coffee in the morning, in the afternoon…)

Question 3

What are the uses of “Para”?

Answer 3

1. to indicate destination
   Example: Salgo para Nueva York. (I’m leaving for New York.) (para = a)
2. to indicate an object’s use or purpose
   Example: El plato es para la hamburguesa. (The plate is for the hamburger.)
3. to mean “in order to” or “for the purpose of”
   Example: Para hacer la torta, necesitas 2 huevos. (To make the cake, you need 2 eggs)
   Yo necesito silencio para estudiar
4. to indicate a recipient or beneficiary
   Example: Este libro es para mi padre. (This book is for my father.)