De vs. Por - Interchangable in some cases?

Question

Corazon mutilado de esperanza vs. zona afectado por el sonido.

Could the two be interchangeable to indicate cause or are they fixed adverbial phrases similar to these: http://spanish.about.com/od/adverbs/a/adverb_phrases_2.htm

Answer 1

They are very similar, but just one really works.

It´s a question of nuance. It could possibly be understood that "Corazón mutilado de (of) esperanza" is a lifelong condition, where "Corazón mutilado por (by) esperanza" is a normal heart that has been mutilated. So if you are talking about someone breaking your heart, I would use the latter.

I think in "Burbujas de Amor" (from the album "La Bachada Rosa"), JLG is talking about a lifelong condition of his heart by using "de" and not a recent happening. You´re right, it´s a beautiful song.

I would say "zona afectada por el sonido" as well.

Many thanks =) - Qel7, Mar 31, 2011

Answer 2

It's a verse from a beautiful song (Quisiera ser un pez...lol) by Juan Luis Guerra. I'm wondering what is the difference between the two prepositions. Both sentences are Subject, past-participle, preposition, noun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NK_cOHlPbA

a zone affected by noise, and a heart mutilated by hope - Por vs De.

Answer 3

I am not sure what you're asking...

Heart mutilated of hope.... Doesn't make sense, right?

Heart mutilated by hope...Can hope mutilate a heart?