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Writer's pictureCristina Loureiro

IS THE PREPOSITION “POR” GIVING YOU A HARD TIME? NOT FOR MUCH LONGER!

Updated: Nov 1, 2021



The preposition POR usually pairs up in a lively duet with the preposition PARA, and more often than not they can both cause a lot of havoc! To make things worse, POR also boasts four nightmarish contracted forms: PELO, PELA, PELOS, PELAS!

No other choice but to bite the bullet, right? How about breaking it all up into bite-sized chunks and looking at POR separately?


Here are FIVE meanings of POR you might be familiar with. Sit back and enjoy!


1. POR – through, by, via, along

Eles foram PELA estrada nacional. They took (travelled by) the national road.

Este autocarro passa PELO aeroporto. This bus passes by the airport.

Envia-me a resposta POR e-mail. Send me the answer by e-mail.

Normalmente, conversamos PELA Internet. We usually chat on (via) the Internet.

Ontem, caminhámos PELA praia. Yesterday we walked along the beach.


2. POR – for (price)

Paguei 200 euros POR este vestido. I paid 200 euros for this dress.

Comprei este relógio POR uma pechincha. I bought this watch for a bargain price.


3. POR – a, per (frequency)

Vou ao ginásio três vezes POR semana. I go to the gym three times a week.


4. POR – per (distribution)

São dez convidados POR mesa. It is 10 guests per table.


5. POR in certain set phrases:

Pela noite dentro – through the night

Ontem trabalhei pela noite dentro. Yesterday I worked through the night.

Por hábito – out of habit

Vou àquele café por hábito. I go to that café out of habit.

Por acaso – by chance

Encontrei-a por acaso. I met her by chance.

Por volta de – around (approximate time)

A Elsa chega por volta das três da tarde. Elsa arrives around 3pm.



Have you come across a different use of POR?

ADD IT HERE!

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