Por and Para (again)

Question

I am confused by one of the rules for Por vs Para usage. Here is the sentence that confuses me: "Pasamos para la enfermeria por buscar la receta." (sentence in a Spanish textbook) I was led to believe that one uses "para" to convey the meaning "for the purpose of" or "in order to." My Spanish text states that we use "por" when connecting an action with a reason or cause. To me, this is a very subtle difference. A reason could also be a purpose, couldn't it? I realize I am splitting hairs, but I really would like to understand this "rule." (I have read the reference section on Por and Para and it would seem to me that "para" is more appropriate here.)

Answer 1

Might the "por" and "para" have been reversed in that sentence? "Pasar por" is to stop by, so it would read: "Pasamos por la enfermería para buscar la receta" (para = in order to pick up the Rx)

This is exactly my take that "por" and "para" had been reversed (as soon as I read the sentence and before I read your post). You are correct once agian. - Daniel, Dec 1, 2009

There is no ambiguity about the use of "por & para" in this sentence when put in the proper place in the sentence. - Daniel, Dec 1, 2009

Answer 2

This has been the most useful page to me explaining the differences between por and para. I printed it out and carry it with me as a reference!

¡Muchas Gracias !! - Victoria-Peters, Dec 1, 2009

Answer 3

Thanks very much for all of your input. These comments are helpful to me and I realize there are some things I can only learn in an immersion experience! And....I think my text book may be incorrect with that sentence anyway!

Answer 4

Have you seen that in a book?. It is no strange that you are in a mess. The correct word would be "para" (purpose). Anyway, the language, sometimes, is a bit capricious and you can find this type of things. If you change "por" for "para" would be even much better.

I know it can be a bit annoying to find this type of things. To explain you better, I would give you an example:

fuí por pan (I went for bread)

Perhaps you can guess something if you look at the sentence. "Por" sometimes is used like a purpose but I am not too sure this to be a purpose.

If we say, "fuí por ver cómo perdía el otro equipo". It would be much better expressed like this: "fuí para ver cómo perdía el otro equipo".

When we are using "por" we see like the reason instead of the purpose. The reason why I went to the stadium is to see the other team loosing. Then, here is a reason but also, it is a purpose. Anyway, in this type of sentences the best thing is to use "para".

Answer 5

I remember how difficult it was for me to remember that we say "in the morning/afternoon/evening" but "at night"; "at weekends" but "at the weekend", "Mount Everest" but "the Matternhorn", etc. I guess all languages share this feature: most things can be explained by a means of logic (a means!) only to some extent. Then, all you can do is memorise the word in the context, or learn all the exeptions by heart.

Answer 6

I totally agree concerning a reason could be a purpose. That's why there are so many different different Acroymns out there to help you in learning the usages. None of them are practical. The usages are sometimes very subtle and one word rules like Purpose and Reason aren't going help you much. (they're better than nothing) You almost have to learn the rules by experience, recognizing the contexts that one or the other is used in.