The shortcut for por vs. para

Por vs. Para

por / PAH-rah — For (two different senses of "for")

"Lo hice por ti (because of/for your sake) vs. Esto es para ti (this is intended for you)."
I did it for you vs. This is for you.

Rough shortcut: "por" looks backward at a reason or cause, "para" looks forward at a purpose or destination. It won't resolve every case, but it resolves most of them.

"My most-requested grammar topic, hands down. I could probably teach this one in my sleep."— Graciela