Spanish 3 prepositions por and para

1. Un guía para las dos preposiciones
¿por o para?

2. ¿por o para? ¿por qué?
Just like skiing, getting used to por o para is a combination of getting a
“feel” for things (like snow and skis!) and following some rules for gaining
technique. Soon you’ll be going from this little tyke….to his buddy on the
right! 

3. › PARA
– The purpose or function of a
specific thing (that box is for
candy)
– To compare qualities of a
person (for a conservative he
can be quite liberal at times)
– Deadline: your tasks are due by
Wednesday and Friday!
– Destination of a place or as a
recipient: I’m leaving for Spain in
the morning…this gift is for my
mom.
› POR
– The object or goal of an action;
to fetch something (I’ll stop by
the store for milk)
– In exchange for (I’ll give you my
red pen for your blue one)
– Duration of time (we were there
for three hours!)
– Motion: through, by, along
– Means or manner by which an
action is completed (we went
by plane)
– With “estar” to express that you
are about to do something
Theproblem with por o para is that they both
frequently “translate” to mean “for” in English.
How???

4. › PARA
– Para siempre (forever, even
though por is for duration of
time)
– Para X compañía always use
para when speaking of
employment though that too
is confusing)
– Para + infinitive to describe
“in order to” do whatever the
action
› POR
– Por ahora (for now…)
– Por ejemplo (for example)
– Por eso (therefore)
– Por lo general (in general)
– Por Dios! (for God’s sake!)
– Por fin (finally)
– Por lo visto (apparently)
– Por si acaso (just in case)
– Por supuesto (claro!)
– Por último (finally)
– Por favor
– Por aquí (around here)
And of course, the “multiple” idiomatic
expressions!

5. So where are we now? Blue footed boobies still (see below :) or skiing the black
diamond trail? Try yourself out!
1. Me diste esa caja ___ los juguetes.
2. ¿Qué vas a comprar con el dinero que te dieron ___ la grabadora?
3. ¿Sabes si hay una oficina de correos ___ aquí?
4. Ya te dije que camines ___ la acera (sidewalk).
5. Esa ropa es ___ las víctimas del huracán
6. Nos reuniremos ___ celebrar su cumpleaños.
7. ¿Por qué tienes que terminar el informe ___ la próxima semana?
8. Ellos van a ser con nosotros ___ un mes entero!
9. Como no llegaban, salimos ___ ellos.
10.Mándame los formularios ___ correo aéreo.
***answers on next slide, no peeking!**

6. 1. para…purpose or function of the box.
2. por… exchange the money you received for the
tape recorder.
3. por…idiomatic expression (around here)
4. por…because you walk along the sidewalk
5. para…destination of item (recipient)
6. para… + infinitive in order to celebrate his
birthday
7. para…deadline by which work is due
8. por…duration of time
9. por…since they’ve not come to us, we will go in
search FOR them
10.por…method by which something is delivered
(manner of transport)
HOW DID YOU DO??? QUESTIONS? ASK AWAY…