Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Por vs Para (Time period)

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 24, 2020, 02:41 AM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Por vs Para (Time period)

In the sentences below, can 'por' and 'para' be interchanged?
I've always understood the correct term to be 'por', but I have read 'para' in some texts I've come across.

Mi novio ha ido a Francia por un mes.
Mi novio ha ido a Francia para un mes.

Mi novio irá a Francia por un mes.
Mi novio irá a Francia para un mes.

Yo estudié por seis horas.
Yo estudié para seis horas.

Yo voy a estudiar por seis horas.
Yo voy a estudiar para seis horas.

Elena vino por una quincena.
Elena vino para una quincena.

Elena vendrá por una quincena.
Elena viendrá para una quincena.

Many thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old April 24, 2020, 08:09 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
To me, "para" sounds incorrect. I cannot know if this is could be used anywhere else though.

"Para", for me, needs that you state a purpose:

-Mi novio fue a Francia para quedarse un mes.
-Mi novio irá a Francia para estar allá un mes.
-Yo estudié para prepararme seis horas antes.
-Yo voy a estudiar para aprovechar estas seis horas.
-Elena vino para pasar una quincena con nosotros.
-Elena vendrá para trabajar una quincena en la empresa.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old April 25, 2020, 04:15 AM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Thanks so much!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old April 28, 2020, 01:48 AM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Just looking back on what you said there, AngelicaDeAlquezar...

I have heard Spaniards using para with a time expression:
Mi novio ha ido a Francia para un mes.
Maybe the verb 'pasar' is implied but not stated?

Which is why maybe it wouldn't work below:
Yo voy a estudiar para seis horas. (Again, I'm not sure if this correct, but I don't think it is).
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old April 29, 2020, 09:47 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Since I'm really not familiar with the use of "para" in this context, I hope our forum members from Spain will chime in.


I found some examples on Google (not many) where people say "estar para un año" or "estar para dos semanas" and even "estudiar para una hora". I can't tell whether they are foreign learners or if they're native speakers.
So, supposing these are all Spanish native speakers, I guess your examples are alright when used with people who speak like this. In many other environments, you might even get corrected.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
para, por, por vs para

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For (period of time) fglorca Grammar 3 May 14, 2014 04:18 PM
Para vs. Por - duration/span of time laepelba Grammar 5 December 23, 2011 09:44 AM
Enterados del Derecho que por Ley tienen para leer por si esta escritura, por acuerdo loveisall Translations 1 October 26, 2010 06:44 AM
Hacer o estar for time period? hola Grammar 13 December 13, 2009 10:53 AM
Para vs Por bleitzow Grammar 7 January 30, 2008 05:40 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:22 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X