Is "por" used correctly in this sentence?

Question

I heard this sentence in one of the the Pimsleur lessons:

Gracias por todo lo hicieron por mí. (Thank you for all you did for me).

I thought this should be "para mí" because the "goal/receiver" of the things was "me" according to my understanding from this site's several explanations for por vs. para. Maybe this is a conventional usage that's outside of the regular rules, or my understanding of the por/para distinction is not accurate.

I wonder how this sentence is said in native Spanish, because it is quite useful.

Gracias,

Does anyone else feel "lo" should be followed by "que" in this sentence? Just wondering... :) - cristalino, Feb 16, 2012

Yes, you are right. - Vicente1, Feb 16, 2012

@ Cristalino: Now that you mention it, it does seem strange. @ Jasmine: perhaps they used "por" in terms of "on behalf" (shown under "substitution" [the S] in Paralee's PRODDS) - Goldie_Miel, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 1

Hello,

Yes, "por mí" is used correctly in that sentence. However, it should be "por todo lo que".

By the way, I, as a native Spanish speaker, would say that. So, yes, it is used by natives as well.

Espero haber ayudado.

Answer 2

¡Gracias por todo lo que hicieron por mí! = Thank you for all you did for me!

Gracias as always for your help. - JazSpanish, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 3

Jasmine, I think I would say it the way you wrote it. Just cause it sounds good conversationally to me.

Gracias, what's sounds right for the natives is the one i want to learn. - JazSpanish, Feb 16, 2012

Answer 4

"Gracias por todo que Uds. hacían para mí" ==> I used the imperative rather than the preterit, assuming that what was done occurred over an unspecified amount of time. Also, I replaced the "lo" with "que". I then used "para" because you are the recipient of an action.

As a reminder -- you can look up grammer questions on the Learn: Spanish Grammer link, top menu bar. The Para (PRODDS) versus Por (Dreems) discussion can be found under there. Here is the direct link to this discussion: Reference Page

PARA (PRODDS)
Purpose
Recipient
Opinion
Destination
Deadline
Standard (comparison)

Por (DREEMS)
Duration
Emotion
Exchange
Mode of transportation
Substitution (exchange)