One of the conundrums of Spanish grammar is por vs. para. When to use them and why one is used versus the other… The dilemma of one too many students learning Spanish. Rather than focusing in on the 50% chance of getting it wrong (versus the 50% chance of getting it right!), learn these simple rules.
It sounds pretty wild, but por really is (is really) a circle. It is about the reasoning and the means.
Cien años de soledad fue escrito por Gabriel García Márquez – One Hundred Years of Solitude was written by Gabriel García Márquez.
Para is for the end result. It is very specific and direct. In fact, there are only four main uses.
Now that you know the differences, work on the exercises below.
Answers: 1. para; 2. para/por; 3. por; 4. para; 5. por; 6. por; 7. por; 8. para/por; 9. por; 10. para.
When all fails, remember the odds are in your favor: you have a 50% chance of getting it right! 😉
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