POR vs PARA

Por vs Para is one of the main problem for Spanish students. Por vs Para have very specific uses in Spanish. Por has many different uses and therefore poses the most problems. Para is usually associated with either destination or limitation. In many cases the differences  of Por vs Para is not very clear.

POR vs PARA

1. The preposition PARA is used to express : Destination o purpose

• Este regalo es para María. This gift is for Mary.
• Estudia para abogado. He studies ( to be) a lawyer.

2. POR is used to indicate: A TRAVÉS o A LO LARGO (through or along)

• Viajamos por Europa. We travel through Europe.
• El ladrón entró por la ventana. The thief entered through the window.

3. POR has the meaning of : in behalf of, in favor of, instead of.

• Compre el regalo para Maria. I bought the gift for Mary. ( In other words, I am going to give the gift to Mary)
• Compre el regalo por Maria. I bought the gift for Mary. ( The gift is for another person but Mary could not go to buy it so I went for her)

4. POR is used after the verbs IR (TO GO) , MANDAR (TO SEND) , VOLVER (TO RETURN) ,VENIR(TO COME) in order to show the reason for the errand.

• El niño viene por agua. The boy comes for water.

5. PARA is used to express: DEADLINE, TIME LIMIT

• La tarea es para mañana. The homework is for tomorrow.
• Necesito el dinero para mañana. I need the money for tomorrow.

6. POR is used to express: PERIOD OF TIME.

• Mi hija vivió en Nicaragua por tres meses. My daughter lived in Nicaragua for three years. 

7. POR is used to indicate an INDEFINITE TIME OR PLACE.

• Las llaves tienen que estar por aquí. The keys have to be around here.
• Yo vivo por el parque. I live around the park.

8. We use PARA to express: IN ORDER TO

• Necesito anteojos para leer. I need glasses in order to read.

9. POR express what to remain to be done.

• Tengo mucho por hacer. There are remains much to be done.

10. POR is used to express manner, means or motive.

• La carta llego por correo. The letter arrived by mail.
• Lucha por la libertad. He is fighting for freedom

11. POR is used to express; IN EXCHANGE FOR, MEASURE or NUMBER.

• Lo venden por docenas. They sell it by dozens.

EJERCICIOS
Complete con POR or PARA.
1. Ellos luchan ______ su ideal.
2. Quiere vender la casa _________ 20 mil dólares.
3. Yo te doy este libro ________ el tuyo.
4. Envío el paquete _________ avión.
5. Estamos en Nicaragua _______ ocho días.
6. Esta foto es _________ Carmen.
7. Tengo mucho __________ hacer.
8. Oigo los anuncios __________ la radio.
9. Yo lo necesito _________ el siete de julio.
10. Voy __________ Nicaragua.