"Por" or "Para"

Question

When writing essays I always seem to get these two words mixed up. Would you be able to explain the differences between the usages of both words? Any help is very much apprecitated

Answer 1

Por Vs Para

Uses for por:

Expressing movement along, through, around, by or about: Anduve por las calles de la ciudad. I walked through the streets of the city.

Denoting a time or duration when something occurs. Viajamos por tres semanas. We're traveling for three weeks.

Expressing the cause not the purpose) of an action: Me caí por la nieve. I fell down because of the snow.

Meaning per: Dos por ciento.Two percent.

Meaning supporting or in favor of: Trabajamos por derechos humanos. We work for human rights.

Introducing the agent of an action after a passive verb: Fue escrito por Bob Woodward. It was written by Bob Woodward.

Indicating means of transportation: Viajaré por avión. I will travel by plane.

Used in numerous expressions: Por ejemplo. For example. Por favor. Please.

Uses for para:

Meaning for the purpose of or in order to: Para bailar la bamba, necesita una poca de gracia. In order to dance the bamba you need a little grace.

With a noun or pronoun as object, meaning for the benefit of or directed to: Es para usted. It's for you.

Meaning to or in the direction of when referring to a specific place: Voy para Europa. I'm heading to Europe.

Meaning by or for when referring to a specific time: Necesito el regalo para mañana. I need the gift for tomorrow. Vamos a la casa de mi madre para el fin de semana. We're going to my mother's for the weekend.

Hope that helped!! That's basically my understanding of por and para....:) - Seb79, Dec 11, 2010

It clears things up a lot thank you :) - AeryFaery, Dec 11, 2010

Answer 2

For greater certainty and future reference, Span¡shD!ct has a Reference page explaining the uses of Para & Por. The reference page is found here ----> Para & Por

Thank you it has been very helpful. - AeryFaery, Jan 10, 2011