Por vs Para in Spanish: Using por (not para) to express "on behalf of"

Por to say instead of/ on behalf of in Spanish

We use the preposition por (not para) when we mean instead of, on behalf of or in somebody's place.

Have a look and listen to these examples:

Mi compañero tuvo que trabajar por mí ayer.My colleague had to work for me yesterday. [in my place/instead of me]

¿Podrías comprar el regalo de mamá por mí? Yo estoy enferma.Could you buy mum's present for me? I am ill.

El actor principal estaba indispuesto, así que un sustituto actuó por él.The main actor wasn't feeling well, so a substitute took his place. [lit: acted for him]





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Examples and resources

¿Podrías comprar el regalo de mamá por mí? Yo estoy enferma.Could you buy mum's present for me? I am ill.
Mi compañero tuvo que trabajar por mí ayer.My colleague had to work for me yesterday. [in my place/instead of me]
El actor principal estaba indispuesto, así que un sustituto actuó por él.The main actor wasn't feeling well, so a substitute took his place. [lit: acted for him]
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