"Por" vs "Para" Flashcards
(34 cards)
RULE:
What are all the ways to use “por” in a sentence?
- Reason (Noun)
- Reason (Verb)
- Approximation
- Motion or Movement
- Regularity
- Medium
- Distribution
- Equivalence/Exchange/Trade/Price
- Author
Por - Reason (Noun)
To denote the cause or motive of an action. In English, if we use “because”, it’s always “por” in Spanish. Followed by a noun. If the cause for something happening is a noun, we only use “por”
EX: Él se fue de viaje por su cumpleaños. - He went on a trip because of his birthday.
Por que - Reason (Verb)
To denote the reason for an action. Here we use “por que” because it’s always followed by a verb.
EX: Yo limpio mi casa por que tengo visitas. - I clean my house because I have visitors.
Por - Approximation
To express an approximate space and time. (sometime or somewhere/around)
EX: La biblioteca está por el centro. - The library is somewhere downtown.
Por - Motion or Movement
To indicate movement through a place. This can be “through”, “over”, “under” or “alongside”.
EX: El ladrón entró por la ventana. - The thief came in through the window.
“Por Encima”
Over (describing movement)
“Por Debajo”
Under (describing movement)
Por/junto a/a lado de
Alongside (describing movement)
Por - Regularity
An action that happens on a regular basis. We use “por” to determine the period of time (times a year, times a month, times a week).
EX: Voy a la playa 2 veces por año. - I go to the beach 2 times a year.
Por - Medium
The medium or instrument through which an action is performed. (by)
EX: Nos iremos por avión. - We will leave by plane
Por - Distribution
Signifies the idea of something being distributed or divided among different entities or locations. It is always used as “per” in english.
EX: El profesor dio 1 ejercicio por alumno. - The teacher gave 1 exercise per student.
Por - Equivalence/Exchange/Trade/Price
It conveys the idea of an equal or reciprocal value or a transaction involving goods, services, or actions. It is usually used as “for” in english.
EX: Se pusieron a discutir por 30 dólares. - They got into an argument for $30 dollars
Por - Author
When something is made BY someone. The “by” is always “por”.
EX: El artículo fue escrito por Mike Miers - The article was written by Mike Myers
Por adelantado
In advance
Por cierto
By the way
Por consiguiente
Therefore
Por desgracia
Unfortunately
Por encima
Above
Por fin (finalmente)
Finally
Por las buenas/malas
For the good/bad
Por lo general (generalmente)
Generally
Por los menos
At least
Por si acaso
Just in case
Por suerte (afortunadamente)
Fortunately
