Por y para.
Two prepositions that are often just one word in English: “for”. With this logic you won’t mix them up again.
- Level A2 – B2
- 5-minute read
- 8 exercises
The rule.
Para · the goal
It looks forward: purpose, destination, recipient or deadline.
- Estudio para trabajar en Madrid.
- Este regalo es para ti.
- Salgo para Roma mañana.
- Lo necesito para el lunes.
Por · the cause
It looks back or at the means: cause, reason, means, a place you pass through, price.
- Gracias por tu ayuda.
- No salimos por la lluvia.
- Te llamo por teléfono.
- Paseamos por el parque.
Tip: if you can say “in order to”, it’s para. If you can say “because of”, it’s por.
The trap for Italian speakers.
✗Gracias para todo.
✓Gracias por todo.
The English “for” (and the Italian «per») is sometimes por and sometimes para. Think of the cause (por) or the goal (para).
Your turn.
Choose the right answer. I explain every one.
Keep practising.
- A2 – C1
False friends
Words that look familiar… but aren’t. «Embarazada» doesn’t mean “embarrassed”.
Practise - A2 – B1
¿Salí o he salido?
Pretérito indefinido vs perfecto: the classic mistake, explained in five minutes.
Practise - Game · B2 – C2
Discourse markers
89 connectors in 12 categories to speak and write fluently.
Play
Shall we practise it by speaking?
Exercises help you understand. In class you turn it into something you say without thinking.
Did any exercise give you trouble? We’ll go over it together in your free trial lesson.