Regarding para/por (mostly)

Question

Hi,

This is a rather large question, please let me know if it is not allowed on the forum.

Is the use of por/para correct in these sentences?

1.

la ley para la compra de alcohol es decida por cada la comunidad

2.

bebemos alcohol por sí solo.

3.

Pero, las razones para beber el alcohol

There are more sentences, but I feel as though if someone explains the actual concept behind por/para I'll be able to do the rest myself.

Thanks in advance and any answers are appreciated

EDIT:

Also, is the "divertirse" correct in it's usage here?

Generalmente, los jóvenes beben el alcohol porque les gusta el sabor, divertirse o congeniar con personas, por ejemplo.

hi Richard, this is not even close to a large question! jeje, anyway, you can ask what you wish here, just shoot if you have a question - 006595c6, Aug 1, 2017

Welcome to SpanishDict, Richard. :) - rac1, Aug 1, 2017

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated :) This is a very helpful forum. - Richard8843, Aug 2, 2017

Answer 1

“la ley para la compra de alcohol es decida por cada la comunidad”

I wouldn’t even use por/para. I would say, “La ley sobre la compra de…” And change “decida” a “decidida”. Eliminate “la” y di “por cada comunidad”.

“bebemos alcohol por sí solo.” Do you mean we drink “pure alcohol?” “Pero, las razones para beber el alcohol” No need for the comma here depending on what follows “….alcohol”. “Para” should be changed to “por”. Think of “para” as “in order to”. The “por” could be changed to “razones por la que bebemos”.

“Generalmente, los jóvenes beben el alcohol porque les gusta el sabor, divertirse o congeniar con personas, por ejemplo.” I would add “para”… “para divertirse”.

Answer 2

la ley para la compra de alcohol es decida por cada la comunidad

"Por" is correct here, but "decida" is not. It should be "decidida" (decidir).

Edit: you should put either "cada" or "la" but not both.

bebemos alcohol por sí solo.

The logic behind the "por" here is correct, however, idiomatically we wouldn't phrase it like this. It is better to say "alcohol puro", but there might be other ways depending on the region.

Finally, divertirse is correct in your last sentence.

Shameless, is por cada LA comunidad correct here, please? The definite article La looked wrong and out of place! Shouldn't it just be: por cada comunidad? - FELIZ77, Aug 1, 2017

Oye, Feliz, acabo de ver tu comentario. La "la" es superflua. - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 1, 2017

Oh yes! Definitely wrong, I missed that! - Shamelesspanish, Aug 1, 2017

Thank you for your help again, I have changed it accordingly. I appreciate it :) - Richard8843, Aug 2, 2017

Answer 3

Hi Richard, where did you find these sentences? did you have to translate them yourself?

Heidita, puede que le preocupe a Richard la delincuencia de su pueblo. - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Aug 1, 2017

Hi Heidita, I wrote them myself for a comparative task. - Richard8843, Aug 2, 2017

Answer 4

1 la ley es "decidida"

Generalmente, los jóvenes beben el alcohol porque les gusta el sabor, divertirse o congeniar con personas, por ejemplo.

What I see in this sentence above is that there is a lack of what is called "parallelism".It's not a grammar mistake but lack of style. Example:

CORRECT I like beer, wine and water.
INCORRECT I like beer, wine and when I go to the beach.

Why not something like:
Generalmente los jóvenes beben alcohol porque les gusta el sabor.
A ellos les gusta divertirse y tener la oportunidad de conocer gente. a través del alcohol.

I personally don't like "congeniar" here but it's a good word.

Answer 5

bebemos alcohol por sí solo.

I think what Richard is saying here is that "We drink alcohol all by ourselves -or alone."

Tomamos alcohol cuando estamos solos. "All by ourselves does not involve "por" or "para."

If he is saying that we drink alcohol "all by itself" that is without food or something, then I am wrong.

The latter is correct - i.e. "we drink alcohol without food". I changed it to "bebemos alcohol sin comida" for simplicity. Thanks for your help nonetheless - Richard8843, Aug 2, 2017