Practise the Spanish Prepositions POR & PARA with these 20 Sentences – Episode 108

Practise the Spanish Prepositions POR & PARA with these 20 Sentences

Podcast episode 108 – SEE ALL EPISODES

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

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Hi, hola, I’m Maria Fernandez and in today’s lesson we are going to practise using the prepositions POR and PARA. I’ve prepared 20 everyday sentences for you. I’m going to give you each Spanish sentence without the preposition. Can you tell me whether they take POR or PARA? I’ll give you the answer after you tell me. Let’s start:

1. Gracias por tu ayuda. (Thank you for your help.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate a reason.

2. El libro fue escrito por un autor famoso. (The book was written by a famous author.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate the agent in the passive voice.

3. Hablamos por teléfono. (We talk on the phone.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate the means or method.

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4. La tarea es para mañana. (The homework is for tomorrow.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate a deadline.

5. Este regalo es para ti. (This gift is for you.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate the recipient of an object.

6. Están en la ciudad por trabajo. (They are in the city for work.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate a reason.

7. Voy a estudiar para el examen. (I’m going to study for the exam.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

8. El tren sale para Madrid. (The train leaves for Madrid.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate a destination.

9. Cruzamos el río por el puente. (We cross the river by the bridge.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate the means.

10. Este coche es para mi hermana. (This car is for my sister.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate the recipient of an object.

11. Pagamos 20 dólares por la cena. (We paid $20 for dinner.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate a price.

12. Este plato es para compartir. (This dish is for sharing.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

13. No salí por la lluvia. (I didn’t go out because of the rain.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate a reason.

14. Estudiamos para mejorar nuestras notas. (We study to improve our grades.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

15. Voy al médico para un chequeo. (I’m going to the doctor for a check-up.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

16. Me quedo aquí para ayudarte. (I stay here to help you.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

17. Voy a la tienda para comprar leche. (I’m going to the store to buy milk.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

18. Ella estudia para ser médico. (She studies to become a doctor.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

19. El libro es para aprender. (The book is for learning.)

The preposition PARA is used to indicate purpose.

20. Caminamos por el parque. (We walk through the park.)

The preposition POR is used to indicate movement through a place.

Let’s now do something a bit more difficult. I’m going to give you the 20 English sentences. Can you translate them into Spanish? I’lll give you the answer after you tell me. Use the pause button if you need more time. Here we go:

1. They are in the city for work. – Están en la ciudad por trabajo.
2. I didn’t go out because of the rain. – No salí por la lluvia.
3. The homework is for tomorrow. – La tarea es para mañana.
4. This dish is for sharing. – Este plato es para compartir.
5. The book was written by a famous author. – El libro fue escrito por un autor famoso.
6. This gift is for you. – Este regalo es para ti.
7. We paid $20 for dinner. – Pagamos 20 dólares por la cena.
8. The train leaves for Madrid. – El tren sale para Madrid.
9. We walk through the park. – Caminamos por el parque.
10. I’m going to the store to buy milk. – Voy a la tienda para comprar leche.
11. We cross the river by the bridge. – Cruzamos el río por el puente.
12. Thank you for your help. – Gracias por tu ayuda.
13. She studies to become a doctor. – Ella estudia para ser médico.
14. I’m going to study for the exam. – Voy a estudiar para el examen.
15. We study to improve our grades. – Estudiamos para mejorar nuestras notas.
16. This car is for my sister. – Este coche es para mi hermana.
17. We talk on the phone. – Hablamos por teléfono.
18. I stay here to help you. – Me quedo aquí para ayudarte.
19. We walk through the park. – Caminamos por el parque.
20. We study to improve our grades. – Estudiamos para mejorar nuestras notas.

Well done! Remember, mastering POR and PARA takes practice.

Here’s a tip:

POR is used to indicate: a reason, price, movement through, means, and the agent of the passive voice.

Whereas PARA indicates: purpose, a destination, the recipient of an object, and a deadline.

You can get more preposition drills in my Spanish course at [kerapido.com/online](http://kerapido.com/online)

I’ve put the link in the episode description.

Find out more about my Spanish courses.