Both para and por may be followed by an infinitive and used to denote the end for which an action is intended, but with the following distinctions:
- Para is used when the result of the action is certain, or we express our conviction of success. It means "in order to", "with the intention of".
- Por expresses an effort in the direction indicated, and means "for the sake of". It leaves the result undecided, or conveys the idea that we cannot or will not express a conviction of success.
Example 1
Voy á Nueva York para ver el puente de Brooklin. I am going to New York to see the Brooklyn Bridge.
Example 2
Ando por ver si puedo dormir. I walk to see if I can sleep.
Example 3
Iré á España para aprender el idioma. I will go to Spain to learn the language.
Example 4
Iré á Washington por hablar al presidente. I will go to Washington and try to talk with the president.
Example 5
Ofrecen dinero por entrar. They offer money to get in.
Example 6
Dan dinero para entrar. They give money to get in (they pay an entrance fee).
Example 7
Estudio por aprender. I study [hard] to learn.
Example 8
Es preciso estudiar para aprender. It is necessary to study in order to learn.
Example 9
Trabajo por ganar la vida. I endeavor to earn my living.
Example 10
Necesito trabajar para ganar la vida. I need to work to earn my living.
After estar, if a person is subject, por indicates inclination, and para immediate futurity; por moreover leaves the carrying-out of the inclination uncertain, para implies that is going to occur:
Example 11
Estoy por salir. I am inclined to go out.
Example 12
Estoy para salir. I am on the point of going out.
Example 13
Estoy por creer que es guasa. I am inclined to think it is a hoax.
Example 14
Estaba para entrar cuando le llamé. He was about to go in when I called him.
But if a thing be the subject, por denotes that the action is yet to be performed, and para that it is to be immediately performed:
Example 15
La discusión está por concluir. The discussion is as yet unfinished.
Example 16
La discusión está para concluir. The discussion is about to come to a close.
Example 17
Está para llover. It is going to rain.