Gordon Smith-Durán - Pocket Por and Para: The Only Book You’ll Ever Need!

Pocket Por and Para.

So much more than just a Spanish grammar book

Working to make learning the Spanish language accessible to everyone.

Gordon Smith-Durn
Cynthia Smith-Durn

LightSpeed Spanish

2015

Copyright 2015 by LightSpeed Spanish

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2015 Edition

ISBN 978-1519347367

LightSpeed Spanish
221 Calle Circular,
Las Dehesas,
Valdenuo Fernndez,
Guadalajara,
Espaa.
19185

www.lightspeedspanish.co.uk

eBook Designed by Acepub

Dedication

To the many wonderful people who have encouraged us to create this book. A very special thanks goes to my mum, Joan, who was the very first person to help me with Por and Para and who, for me, has always been a source of great inspiration.

Your help, please.

We are self-publishing authors which means that we have to proofread our own books. No matter how much we check them, we, inevitably, end up with the occasional typo or error.

If you were to spot any glaring errors as you work through this book, please, feel free to let us know at:

or contact us through our website:

www.lightspeedspanish.co.uk

Acknowledgements

Firstly we would like to give thanks to our wonderful proofreaders, Ann Lock and Barbara and Paul Heatley who did a fantastic job of picking us up on our many mistakes.

What is more, this book is made up of all of our own work and ideas, thus, rather than acknowledging other authors or sources, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all of the wonderful people who have inspired and encouraged us over the years to continue to do what we are doing.

The truth is that were it not for the massive support that we have enjoyed and continue to receive from all of our friends and supporters, we could never have produced the resources that now exist online and in internet book stores all over the world.

Muchsimas gracias a todos. Vosotros sois nuestra inspiracin.

Index

This book has been written for every student of the Spanish language who finds the use of Por and Para confusing. We assume that because you have bought the book, you too have doubts, and if thats the case then you are in great company!

In the years that Cynthia and I have been teaching Spanish we have lost count of the number of times that someone has asked for help with Por and Para.

What we promise you, the reader, is that by the time you have finished working along with us through this book, you will be able to use Por and Para competently. What is more, the confusions that you currently have in your mind will be gone, replaced by a solid, easy to follow system that will help you to use your Spanish with far more confidence.

You may have noticed that this isnt a particularly thick book; and for good reason! Learning to use these two prepositions (linking words) isnt as difficult as you might first imagine.

We have created a very simple system that involves visual imagery to help you know which word to use whenever you are faced with translating for into Spanish.

What is more, even the more subtle uses of Por and Para will be covered in such simplistic ways that any mystery they currently hold for you will be banished from your mind, forever. (Gulp! A big claim)

But, why are Por and Para so difficult?

To start with, in English we normally have only one word for Por and Para and that is FOR.

In Spanish, however, everything depends on the context and meaning of the sentence. We have to stop and think. And, of course, if we dont have a system, then no amount of thinking will help us to get it right!

We truly believe that repetition and instant feedback is the mother of all learning. After all, this is how children learn, isnt it?

They repeat things and receive correction from everyone around them. And this is how we will help you to learn to use Por and Para correctly.

This book is filled with exercises, all of which we recommend that you complete faithfully. Of course, if you wanted to, you could just look at each sentence and decide if it should be Por or Para and that, in itself, will help.

However, as the book progresses and you take the time out to translate the sentences, you will gain the added benefit of having created hundreds of useful sentences each of which will help you develop a fantastic command of the Spanish language.

The very first thing you will be presented with is a test of your current understanding of Por and Para. Butque no cunda el pnico. (Dont panic.)

You shouldnt worry too much about the first test. All we are aiming to do is to give you a benchmark from which you can measure your current understanding.

At the end of the book we will give you the very same test so that you can make a real comparison of how much you have improved your understanding of the use of Por and Para.

From the last test, after having completed the book, we fully expect you to sacar one of two kinds of resultados.

1, You get the same amount of marks as you did when you first took the test, but now you know exactly why you chose Por or Para.

2, You get far better results than when you started the book and know exactly why you are choosing Por and Para.

Whatever the case, we can promise you that you will be in a far better place than you are right now.

Okay, here is the test. Just fill in the gaps with Por or Para according to what you think is correct.

Tip: Do not over think these. Go with your gut instinct on each one and trust the first answer that comes to mind. The reason we say this is because when you are in free flow conversation, the first word that comes to your mind is normally the one that comes whizzing out of your mouth. So use that one in this test too.

You will find the answers in the back of the book but read the following pages before you check your score.

Exercise 1.

1, Gracias ______ haberme dicho la verdad.

Thanks for having told me the truth.

2, Qu quieres _______ tu cumpleaos?

What do you want for your birthday?

3, Lo quiero _______ este martes.