Las preposiciones "por" y "para" establecen relaciones entre los elementos de una oración, pero se usan en contextos diferentes.
(The prepositions por and para establish relationships between the elements of a sentence, but they are used in different contexts.)
- "Por" can express cause, motive, reason, and duration of an action.
- "Para" can express the intention, end or purpose of an action; it indicates the recipient and the direction to a destination.
| Preposición (Preposition) | Uso (Use) | Ejemplo (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| Por | Causa (Cause) | Hemos cancelado la excursión por el mal tiempo. (We have canceled the trip because of the bad weather.) |
| Medio (Means) | Hemos reservado el vuelo por Internet. (We have booked the flight via the Internet.) | |
| Duración (Duration) | Hemos viajado por dos semanas a España. (We have traveled for two weeks to Spain.) | |
| Para | Finalidad (Purpose) | He llamado a la agencia para comprar un billete. (I have called the agency to buy a ticket.) |
| Destinatario (Recipient) | Este mapa ha sido para los turistas. (This map has been for the tourists.) | |
| Dirección (Direction) | El autobús ha salido para el aeropuerto a las 8 AM. (The bus left for the airport at 8 AM.) |
Exercise 1: Las preposiciones "Por" y "Para"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
para, por
1.
Vamos a Madrid ... el trabajo.
(We are going to Madrid for work.)
2.
Vamos ... la oficina de turismo a preguntar sobre las excursiones.
(Let's go to the tourist office to ask about the tours.)
3.
Este mapa es ... el guía turístico.
(This map is for the tour guide.)
4.
Se van ... la playa este fin de semana.
(They are going to the beach this weekend.)
5.
He comprado un billete ... viajar mañana.
(I have bought a ticket to travel tomorrow.)
6.
Han cancelado la reserva ... problemas técnicos.
(They have cancelled the reservation due to technical problems.)
7.
Han cancelado la excursión ... la lluvia.
(They have cancelled the trip due to the rain.)
8.
Tengo planes ... viajar a París el próximo mes.
(I have plans to travel to Paris next month.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that properly uses the preposition "por" or "para" in each case.
1.
"Para" is not correct here because it indicates purpose or recipient, not the means.
The article "el" is not used with "Internet" in this context; the correct form is without the article.
2.
"Para" should not be followed by "en" to express destination.
"Por" indicates route or cause, not destination, so it is incorrect in this sentence.
3.
You should not use "para" followed by "a" when indicating a recipient.
"Por" expresses cause or reason, not the recipient, so it is incorrect here.
4.
The expression "a por" is not correct in standard Spanish and does not make sense here.
"Para" does not indicate duration or route; it is incorrect in this context.
Exercise 3: Rewrite the phrases
Instruction: Rewrite the sentences by replacing the underlined expression with another that uses por or para, keeping the same meaning.
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleHemos cancelado la excursión por el mal tiempo.(Hemos cancelado la excursión por el mal tiempo.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleVoy a la agencia para comprar un billete de tren.(Voy a la agencia para comprar un billete de tren.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleHablo con mis padres por videollamada todos los domingos.(Hablo con mis padres por videollamada todos los domingos.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleEste informe es para la directora de la empresa.(Este informe es para la directora de la empresa.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleVamos a trabajar por tres meses en Madrid.(Vamos a trabajar por tres meses en Madrid.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleEl tren sale para Barcelona a las 7:30.(El tren sale para Barcelona a las 7:30.)