- Thread starter jrhartley
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prepostions test - para/por
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Also got 8 out of 10 - number 2 and number 6 were incorrect. I, too, was quite pleased with that result! Only problem is that am not certain why they were right or wrong 
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Also got 8 out of 10 - number 2 and number 6 were incorrect. I, too, was quite pleased with that result! Only problem is that am not certain why they were right or wrong
#2, not a good sentence on a test. It could be either one, although the meaning changes:
El e-mail fue enviado para Roberto. =The e-mail was sent for Roberto.
El e-mail fue enviado por Roberto. = The e-mail was sent by Roberto.
In #6 you need para to indicate the use or purpose of a thing, even if the sentence is negative.
Estos zapatos son (no son) para correr. (These shoes are for running.)
Este vaso es para agua solamente. (This glass is only for water.)
Hope this helps.
Took it again... 9 out of 10... still missed #7. :ermm:
Good thing is, didn't feel I was guessing at any of them. Even for #7, I had my reasons
Use para to indicate a destination:
Voy para Madrid. (I am going to Madrid.) (OK: Voy a Madrid.)
Por = a passive construction
Norma,
I think the reason why the answer is 'por' is because it's a passive construction formed with ser + por (the agent) which should be avoided in Spanish anyway. I have never seen a passive phrase with ser + para.
Example- Fue escrito por xxx, fue abierto por xxx, fue hecho por xxx. This passive construction always requires 'por' not para.
-Marianopolita.
Norma,
I think the reason why the answer is 'por' is because it's a passive construction formed with ser + por (the agent) which should be avoided in Spanish anyway. I have never seen a passive phrase with ser + para.
Example- Fue escrito por xxx, fue abierto por xxx, fue hecho por xxx. This passive construction always requires 'por' not para.
-Marianopolita.
I said that...
Norma,
Isn't that what I said in my post?
The passive construction with ser explains why the answer on the test is 'por'. However, the phrase construction should be avoided but not to say it's not seen in newspapers especially the bilingual ones. Tons of examples in el Nuevo Herald.
Norma,
Isn't that what I said in my post?
The passive construction with ser explains why the answer on the test is 'por'. However, the phrase construction should be avoided but not to say it's not seen in newspapers especially the bilingual ones. Tons of examples in el Nuevo Herald.
Active voice vs. passive voice
Para is not an option in #2.
The only option for # 2 is por because the 'passive voice' is being used which is not a preferred construction in Spanish. It's used more often in English and even so in formal writing it's suggested that the sentence be reworded.
If you change the sentence to the active voice you will see why 'por' is the only option.
1/ Robert sent the email= active voice
2/ The email was sent by Robert= passive voice
-#2 is the equivalent phrase in Spanish and to express 'by Robert' it must be por Roberto. In a passive construction with ser + agent (of the action) it must be expressed by 'por'. Therefore, the answer on the test is correct- El e-mail fue enviado por Roberto.
This university course grammar link also gives a good explanation of what I have tried to explain in a simplified version.
The Passive Voice in Spanish (And How to Avoid It)
-Marianopolita.
Para is not an option in #2.
The only option for # 2 is por because the 'passive voice' is being used which is not a preferred construction in Spanish. It's used more often in English and even so in formal writing it's suggested that the sentence be reworded.
If you change the sentence to the active voice you will see why 'por' is the only option.
1/ Robert sent the email= active voice
2/ The email was sent by Robert= passive voice
-#2 is the equivalent phrase in Spanish and to express 'by Robert' it must be por Roberto. In a passive construction with ser + agent (of the action) it must be expressed by 'por'. Therefore, the answer on the test is correct- El e-mail fue enviado por Roberto.
This university course grammar link also gives a good explanation of what I have tried to explain in a simplified version.
The Passive Voice in Spanish (And How to Avoid It)
-Marianopolita.
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