Hi Rebecca, these are their most common uses with simple examples in Spanish and English: ☆ POR _______________________ • Expressing movement along, through, around, by or about. → Anduve por las calles de la ciudad (I walked through the streets of the city). • Denoting a time or duration when something occurs. → Viajamos durante tres semanas (We're traveling for three weeks). • Expressing the cause (not the purpose) of an action. → Me caí por la nieve (I fell down because of the snow). • Meaning per. → Dos por ciento (Two percent). • Meaning supporting or in favor of. → Trabajamos por derechos humanos (We work for human rights). • Introducing the agent of an action after a passive verb. → Fue escrito por Bob Woodward (It was written by Bob Woodward). • Indicating means of transportation. → Viajaré por avión (I will travel by plane). • Used in numerous expressions. → Por ejemplo (For example) → Por favor (Please). ☆ PARA ______________________ • Meaning for the purpose of or in order to. → Para bailar la bamba, necesita una poca de gracia (In order to dance the bamba you need a little grace). • With a noun or pronoun as object, meaning for the benefit of or directed to. → Es para usted (It's for you). • Meaning to or in the direction of when referring to a specific place. → Voy para Europa (I'm heading to Europe). • Meaning by or for when referring to a specific time. → Necesito el regalo para mañana (I need the gift for tomorrow). → Vamos a casa de mi madre para el fin de semana (We're going to my mother's for the weekend). Hope this helps, Rebecca! Have a wonderful day!

Para: Indica el fin o término a que se encamina una acción. (voy a Madrid para estudiar.) Por: Indica parte o lugar concretos, o el modo de ejecutar algo (agarro mi maleta por el asa, llamo por teléfono) Aunque muchas veces se pueden usar para indicar lo mismo. Voy a Madrid para estudiar, Voy a Madrid por estudios. Espero que te aclare algo

is good question when we use 'por' or 'para' it's depend on situation or context. But you will be able to recognize its 'use' when you practicing and practicing. Generally, we use 'para' when we want to express a objetive (un fin). also when the thing affect to somebody example: yo trabajo para ganar dinero (esto es una finalidad o meta) este regalo es para ti ( afecta a otra personas) and we use 'por' when we refer to 'instrument' (medio). it's the same 'by' in english example: ellos vienen a America por barco los panes fueron concinados por Pedro. I hope that help you! (I'm learning english, sorry if I wrote incorrect word)