"por" and "para": how to use them

Cómo se usan "por" y "para"

Bruce Mars @unsplash.com

Por and Para are two Spanish Words that resemble each other in so many ways just like "ser" y "estar". They resemble in the sense that they're both prepositions, secondly the first meaning they will give you in English language is "for".
So if they both resemble, how do we know when and how to use each?

  This is no doubt one of the most confusing topics in Spanish language . And I'm almost 100% sure that nobody is an expert when it comes to this topic. But do you know that you could be just by following some simple rules and regulations on how and when to use or apply each.

Just follow these rules and you'll be on your way to using "Por" y "Para" like an expert.

The rules:

Uses of Por:

There are two basic concepts behind Por:
1. Use for expressing the subject's feelings and explains the motivation or reasons for an action.
2. Used when dealing with physical aspects of an action and introducing details such as approximate time, approximate location, as well as means or manner of performing the action and the agent of an action.

1a. Motivation, reasons, compulsion (because of, out of, for, on behalf of, an account of) por ejemplo: Manuel no puede ir a la escuela por el mal tiempo. - Manuel can't go to school because of the bad weather.

1b. Feelings or attitudes of the subject toward another person or thing, to be for and to be in favor of. Por ejemplo: Él siente gran admiración por el actor. - He feels great admiration for the actor.

1c. The object of an errand, usually with verbs like ir, venir, mandar, enviar. Por ejemplo:
Voy a la panadería por el pan. - I'm going to the bakery for bread.

2a. Approximate location or time; place of transit (around, in, by, through, throughout, along). Por ejemplo: Me encantaría viajar por España. - I would love to travel around Spain.

2b. Duration of an action. Por can be omitted in this case. Por ejemplo: He estado esperándote (por) dos horas. - I've been waiting for you for two hours.

2c. Substitution, exchange, price. Por ejemplo: Compré las galletas por dos euros. - I bought the biscuits for two Euros.

2d. Percentage, rate, multiplication. Frequent English equivalents: per, by. Por ejemplo: Dos por tres son seis. - Two times three is six. (2 × 3= 6).

2e. Means, manner, instrument, agent. Por ejemplo: Todos los días, voy a la escuela por el autobús. - I go to school everyday by bus.

2f. Incompleteness (about to, yet to be done, yet to be finished). Por ejemplo: María está por llegar. - María is yet to arrive.

Uses of Para:
The concept behind "para" is aim, goal, destination, either real or figurative.

 Use para to express:
1. Purpose, aim (in order to). Por ejemplo: Marta estudia mucho para tener éxito en la vida. - Martha studies a lot in order to be successful in life.

2. Motion toward a specific destination. Por ejemplo: Parto para el Brasil esta tarde. - I am departing for Brazil this afternoon.

3. Use or suitability. Also for whom or for what something is meant. Por ejemplo: Compré el regalo para María. - I bought the gift for María.

4. Deadlines or a definite point in time. Por ejemplo: El carpintero tendrá la mesa lists para la semana que viene. - The carpenter will have the table ready by next week.

5. Compared with, considering (that). Por ejemplo:  Hace mucho calor hoy para noviembre. - Today is very warm for November. (Considering that it is the month of November)

6. To be about to, to be on the verge of. Also ready to. Por ejemplo: a. Está para llover. It is about to rain. b. Ya estamos listos para salir. - We already ready to leave.


Text credit:
Repase y escriba por Dominicis y Reynolds (Cuarta Edición)