Mastering prepositions in Spanish can be tricky, but there are helpful tools to make it easier. One such tool is the acronym DREEMS, which can help you remember the various uses of “por” in Spanish. This blog post will break down the DREEMS acronym and provide examples for each use.
The DREEMS Acronym for “Por”
- D – Duration
- Meaning: Used to indicate the length of time an action takes.
- Example: Estudié por tres horas.
- (I studied for three hours.)
- R – Reason
- Meaning: Used to explain the reason or cause of an action.
- Example: Llegué tarde por el tráfico.
- (I arrived late because of the traffic.)
- E – Exchange
- Meaning: Used to indicate an exchange or substitution.
- Example: Te cambio mi libro por el tuyo.
- (I’ll exchange my book for yours.)
- E – Emotion
- Meaning: Used to express feelings or emotions for someone or something.
- Example: Siento mucho amor por mi familia.
- (I feel a lot of love for my family.)
- M – Mode
- Meaning: Used to describe the mode or means by which something is done.
- Example: Viajamos por tren.
- (We travel by train.)
- S – Substitution
- Meaning: Used to indicate substitution or action on behalf of someone else.
- Example: Trabajo por mi amigo hoy.
- (I am working for my friend today.)
Examples in Context
Understanding how to use “por” with the DREEMS acronym can help solidify your knowledge. Here are more detailed examples:
Duration
- Estaré en la reunión por dos horas.
- (I will be in the meeting for two hours.)
Reason
- No pudimos salir por la lluvia.
- (We couldn’t go out because of the rain.)
Exchange
- Compré el coche por veinte mil dólares.
- (I bought the car for twenty thousand dollars.)
Emotion
- Tengo mucho respeto por mis profesores.
- (I have a lot of respect for my teachers.)
Mode
- Mandamos la carta por correo.
- (We sent the letter by mail.)
Substitution
- Ella está trabajando por su hermana hoy.
- (She is working for her sister today.)
By incorporating the DREEMS acronym into your study routine, you’ll have a handy tool to help you master the various uses of “por” in Spanish and improve your proficiency!
