Por eso / ello

Question

Is there any difference when you say:

Por eso te llamé

Por ello te llamé

Thank you!

Answer 1

The following text is taken from an article about Neuter Pronouns:

Neuter Pronouns

The neuter demonstrative pronouns: Usually, demonstrative pronouns are used to point at an object: éste, "this one"; ése, "that one,"; and aquél, "that one over there." The neuter equivalents (esto, eso and aquello) are all unaccented, end in -o and have roughly the same meanings, but as is the case with the direct object lo, they usually refer to an idea or concept rather than an object or person. They can also refer to an unknown object. Here are some examples of its use:

•No olvides esto. "Don't forget this."

•No creo eso. "I don't believe that."

•¿Qué es aquello? "What is that over there?"

•¿Te gustó eso? "Did you like that?"

•No me gusta esto. "I don't like this."

Note that the final two sentences must refer to an event, situation or process rather than an object with a name. For example, if you're walking in a dark jungle and get a creepy feeling about something that might happen, no me gusta esto would be appropriate. But if you're sampling a hamburger and don't care for it, no me gusta ésta would be appropriate (ésta is used because the word for hamburger, hamburguesa, is feminine).

Ello: Ello is the neuter equivalent of él and ella. Its use these days is extremely rare, although you may find it in literature. It usually is translated as "it" or "this."

Thank you that was very understandable. - ray76, Nov 11, 2011

Answer 2

I have the same doubt. But your answer is wrong cuz i often see in spanish textes "por ello" as a neutral pronoun. like: "La aplicación de políticas que promuevan procesos de desarrollo que permitan revertir la pobreza. Para ello, Ayuda en Acción trabaja en distintas campañas de sensibilización"

See my edited comment... thank you! - Jeremias, Nov 11, 2011

Answer 3

I called you for that.

I called you for him.

Thank you czmille. You prompted me to research this more, and I learned a lot. I have posted some text from an article about this in a different answer.

You are absolutely right. Both sentences in the question mean the same: I called you for that, for that reason. "Por ello" is infrequently used.