Use of por and Para Worksheet - Scanned by CamScanner Scanned by ... - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one. We’re choosing between por and para — two Spanish prepositions that often confuse learners, but they have different uses.

Here’s a quick reminder (we’ll use it as we solve):

- Por is used for:
→ reason or cause (“because of”)
→ movement through/along (“through the streets”)
→ exchange (“paid $20 for the shirt”)
→ duration (“for four hours”)
→ means (“by mail”, “by bus”)
→ passive voice agent (“built by the Incas”)

- Para is used for:
→ purpose or goal (“in order to swim”)
→ destination (“leave for Madrid”)
→ recipient (“give $50 for your pants” = intended for you)
→ deadline (“by Monday”)
→ opinion (“for me…”)
→ comparison (“tall for his age”)

Now let’s solve each:

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1. ___ eso, volvió tarde.
→ “For that reason he returned late.” → This is reason, so → por

2. El estudiante fue ___ el lápiz.
→ “The student went for the pencil.” → He went to get the pencil → purpose → para

3. Una casa cuesta ___ lo menos treinta mil dólares.
→ “at least thirty thousand dollars” → fixed phrase: por lo menos → por

4. Llegué tarde ___ el tráfico.
→ “I arrived late because of the traffic.” → reason → por

5. ¿Me enviaste el dinero ___ correo?
→ “Did you send me the money by mail?” → means/method → por

6. Pagué veinte dólares ___ la camisa.
→ “I paid twenty dollars for the shirt.” → exchange → por

7. La casa de piedra fue construida ___ los incas.
→ “was built by the Incas” → passive voice agent → por

8. Los toros corren ___ las calles.
→ “run through the streets” → movement through → por

9. Lo hará ___ el lunes.
→ “He will do it by Monday.” → deadline → para

10. Fidel habló ___ cuatro horas.
→ “spoke for four hours” → duration → por

11. Vamos a la playa ___ nadar.
→ “We go to the beach in order to swim.” → purpose → para

12. Te daré $50 ___ tus pantalones.
→ “I’ll give you $50 for your pants.” → This is tricky! It could be exchange (por) OR intended for you (para). But note: “Te daré” = I’ll give YOU → so the $50 is for you (recipient), not exchanging for the pants. Wait — actually, re-read: “Te daré $50 ___ tus pantalones.” If it’s “I’ll give you $50 for your pants,” meaning you’re selling them → then it’s exchange → por. But if it’s “I’ll give you $50 [intended] for your pants” (like to buy new ones) → para. In context, since it says “tus pantalones” (your pants), and you’re giving money *for* them, it’s likely exchange → por. BUT wait — look at #6: same structure → “pagué... por la camisa” → exchange → por. So here too → por? Actually, no — let’s think again. In #12: “Te daré $50 ___ tus pantalones.” If it’s “I’ll give you $50 for your pants” (you’re selling them to me) → por. If it’s “I’ll give you $50 [so you can buy] your pants” → para. The English translation given is: “(I’ll give you $50 for your pants.)” — which usually implies exchange → por. However, in many textbooks, this exact sentence is taught as para when it’s “money intended for buying something”. Let me check standard usage. Actually, in most cases, “dar dinero para algo” = give money for the purpose of buying something. Example: “Le di dinero para el libro” = I gave him money to buy the book. So here: “Te daré $50 para tus pantalones” = I’ll give you $50 [to spend on] your pants → para. Yes, that makes more sense with the verb “dar” + recipient. So → para

Wait — let’s double-check with reliable sources. In Real World Spanish, “Te doy dinero para los libros” = I give you money for the books (purpose). “Te doy dinero por los libros” = I give you money in exchange for the books (you’re selling them). Since the sentence doesn’t say you’re selling, and it’s “te daré” (I’ll give you), it’s likely purpose → para

So → para

13. Me pagan dos veces ___ mes.
→ “They pay me twice a month.” → frequency → al mes is common, but here it’s “___ mes” → actually, it should be “al mes”, but the blank is before “mes”. Wait, the sentence is: “Me pagan dos veces ___ mes.” → This is missing “al”? No, in some contexts, “por mes” means “per month”. Yes! “dos veces por mes” = twice per month → por

14. Salgo ___ Madrid.
→ “I leave for Madrid.” → destination → para

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Let me list all answers clearly:

1. por
2. para
3. por
4. por
5. por
6. por
7. por
8. por
9. para
10. por
11. para
12. para
13. por
14. para

Wait — let me verify #12 again. Some might argue it's "por" if it's exchange. But the English says: “(I’ll give you $50 for your pants.)” — without context, it’s ambiguous. However, in textbook exercises, when it’s “dar dinero para [cosa]”, it’s usually purpose. For example, “Le di dinero para el viaje” = I gave him money for the trip. Similarly, “Te daré $50 para tus pantalones” = I’ll give you $50 [to use for] your pants → para

Yes, I think para is correct for #12.

Also, #13: “dos veces por mes” is standard → por

Final Answer:
1. por
2. para
3. por
4. por
5. por
6. por
7. por
8. por
9. para
10. por
11. para
12. para
13. por
14. para