Estar por comenzar = estar a punto de comenzar

Question

El último enfrentamiento está por comenzar. El último enfrentamiento está a punto de comenzar.

These say basically the same thing right?

Gracias.

Answer 1

The latest clash is about to begin The final confrontation is about to begin. So yes you are right ,in particular the two are the same

Did someone mention clash? jeje - Xicotillo wouldn't estar para be the same? but estar por be more like thinking of starting or wanting to? - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 19, 2011

Answer 2

I'd say no - and would instead equate estar 'para' with estar 'a punto de'.

To me the difference is

estar para - is when something is literally about to happen or you've even taken the first steps towards it (estabamos para cenar - I picture someone with their knife and fork in their hands) but estar por is more like a feeling - I was thinking of doing something (estabamos por cenar - still sitting on the sofa considering getting up to make dinner).

I could be wrong though je je

http://spanish-podcast.com/2008/03/24/estar-por-vs-estar-para/ - would seem to back you up. :-) - Stadt, Dec 19, 2011

yay thanx Stadt ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 19, 2011

"por" and "para" are different - xicotillo, Dec 19, 2011

Answer 3

Estar para = to be about to (estar a punto de...) --> está para llover - "it's about to rain"

Estar por = an "intention" of doing something or to "feel like" or "be thinking about" doing something or to "be about to" in a more subjunctive way --> estoy por salir - "i'm thinking about leaving" / "I'm about to leave" (with an impatient or annoyed tone)