Using por (not para) to express the originating cause or reason

The preposition por (and not para) is used in Spanish in sentences where we want to give a reason why something happens.

Have a look and listen to these examples:

Me casé por amor.I married for love.

No me divorcié por los niños.I didn't get divorced because of the children.

In both cases above the preposition por is followed by a noun, but you can also see por followed by an infinitive for example: 

Le dieron el trabajo por ser el primo del director.He was given the job because he was the manager's cousin.

Va a estudiar medicina por seguir la tradición familiar.She is studying medicine because it's family tradition.

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Examples and resources

Me casé por amor.I married for love.
No me divorcié por los niños.I didn't get divorced because of the children.
Va a estudiar medicina por seguir la tradición familiar.She is studying medicine because it's family tradition.
Le dieron el trabajo por ser el primo del director.He was given the job because he was the manager's cousin.
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