Por is a Spanish preposition used to refer to “for.” In addition, it is used when events are happening simultaneously. In case the events are happening together, the sentence is inseparable; therefore, a preposition should be used to join these two events. For example, a sentence with one event explaining the cause of the other event may be inseparable. The grammatical rules of English hold in Spanish. Therefore, the usage of “por” in Spanish may match the usage of “for” in English. This article will examine the uses and application of “por” in daily life.
They include:
1. To indicate the time of the day
The preposition por can indicate an indeterminate time of the day. Por is used to indicate the duration or the time at which the events occurred. When used in English, for and in are used in place of this Spanish preposition (por).
For example
Spanish: Llegaré por la mañana.
English: I’ll arrive in the morning.
2. To show the location
When using Spanish, por is a common preposition that can be used to refer to an indeterminate location. It is used to refer to or show movement through a specific location. Therefore, the preposition “por” has gist application in describing how events took place in an indeterminate location. When used to refer to an indeterminate location, the preposition por means through.
For example:
Spanish: Vamos a pasear por el parquet
English: We are going to take a walk through the park.
3. To show Duration in Time
When dealing with events that happened in a specified duration, the preposition “por” has numerous applications. It shows the time the event took place and links it with the doer. In English, this preposition can be replaced by “in.”
Example:
Spanish: Estuvo en Kenya por seis semanas
English: He was in Kenya for six months.
4. To show means of transport or communication
When describing means of transport or communication, this preposition is greatly used. It links the noun and the verb of the sentence. It shows the mode in which the activity took place. When used in an English context, the preposition “by” and “on” are used.
Example:
Spanish: El paquete Ilego por avion
English: The package arrived by plane.
5. To express allocation
The preposition “por” is used to express the distribution or allocations. It links the activity or task to be distributed with the mode or number of distribution. Therefore, the preposition can refer to per, which is used to express allocation in English.
Example:
Spanish: Hay una Habitacion por persona.
English: There’s one room per person.
6. To introduce or express the cause
Por is used to talk about the cause or reason for something to happen. It is used where one event explains the reason for the occurrence of the other event. When used in this context, you can translate it as “Because of.”
Example:
Spanish: Brindemos por su cumpleanos
English: Let us drink because of his birthday.
7. To show the length of time
The por preposition refers to the length of time or how long the event took. It links the event and the length of time the event took. In English, we use the preposition “For” to express the length of time.
Example:
Spanish: Hice mi tarea por dos horas
English: I did my assignment for two hours
8. To indicate the time of the day
The preposition por is used to indicate the part of the day. It is used when time ranges (Morning, noon, evening) are used in place of the exact time. When used in English context, the preposition means “In the.”
Example:
Spanish: Nos Vemos manana por la tarde?
English: Shall we meet tomorrow (in the) afternoon?
9. Used in Passive voices
When it comes to expressing passive voices in a sentence, the por preposition is used. The preposition is used to link the action done to the doer of the action; therefore, the preposition comes before the doer is mentioned. However, when expressing the author or the owner of something, the preposition “de” is used instead of “por.”
Example:
Spanish: Todo el esfuerzo fue realizado por mi.
English: All this effort was carried out by me.
10. To express an idea of an exchange
One of the greatest uses of por preposition is expressing the mode or idea of exchange.
Example:
Spanish: Compro la cerveza por 300 shilling
English: He bought beer for 300 shillings.
11. Used in Phrases
Por preposition is used in prepositional phrases. Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition and another word. Por being a preposition, has a vast application in forming short phrases.
Examples of prepositional phrases made using por include:
Spanish: por causa de. English: Because of
Spanish: Por supuesto. English: of course.
Spanish: Por lo menos. English: at least
12. To indicate support
The preposition por is used in political issues to indicate support. It shows how one event took place in favor of or to support the other event.
Examples:
1. Spanish: Voto por James
English: I am voting in support of James.
2. Spanish: Es el representate por el estado de Kenya.
English: He’s the representative on behalf of the state of Kenya.
3. Spanish: Mi padre estra por no violencia
English: My father is a supporter of nonviolence
13. To say sorry or thank you
The preposition por is used whenever one is saying sorry or thank you. When used in English, the preposition “for” is in place of “por.”
Examples of sentences that have the preposition por:
1. Spanish: Gracias por escucharme
English: Thanks for listening.
2. Spanish: LO siento por lo que he dicho.
English: Sorry for what I said.
14. To indicate along
The por preposition is used together with events that occur in movement. It is used in sentences that need the word along.
Example
1. Spanish: Vamos a pasar por el parquet
English: Let’s go through the park.
2. Spanish: corro por el rio todos los dias
English: I run along the river every day.
