Introduction
The Spanish expression quedar por is a handy way to talk about actions that remain unfinished or tasks yet to be done. This article explains how to use quedar por for unfinished actions, step by step, with clear examples and tips for beginners and intermediate learners.
What does quedar por mean?
Quedar por literally combines the verb quedar with the preposition por. In practice it signals that something is remaining or still needs to be done. It emphasizes that an action has not been completed and often implies intention, necessity, or expectation that it will happen.
Basic idea
Think of quedar por as saying in English something like still need to, remain to, or be left to do. Use it when you want to mention the unfinished part of a plan, a task, or an event.
Structure and common patterns
There are a few common structures with quedar por, depending on what follows: an infinitive verb, a past participle, or a noun phrase. Below are the main patterns.
Quedar por + infinitive
This is the most common pattern to express an action that remains to be done.
Subject + quedar (conjugated) + por + infinitive
Examples:
Nosotros quedamos por terminar el informe.
Tengo quedado por hablar con ella sobre el proyecto.
In spoken Spanish the conjugation often matches the subject and tense you need: quedaron por explicar, queda por limpiar, quedó por decidir.
Quedar + past participle + por + infinitive
Use this to highlight a partially completed action with something still left to do. The past participle acts as an adjective describing state, followed by the remaining action.
Example:
La casa quedó pintada, pero quedó por arreglar el jardín.
Here the house was painted, yet the garden still needs fixing.
Quedar por + noun
Use this when referring to a remaining item, quantity, or person instead of a verb.
Examples:
Quedan por entregar tres tareas.
Aún queda por recibir una respuesta.
Tense and conjugation tips
The verb quedar is conjugated normally for the subject and tense. The portion after por is usually an infinitive, which does not change.
Present
Use present to describe something that is still pending now.
Queda por enviar la carta.
Quedan por revisar los documentos.
Past
Use past forms to refer to what remained at a past time.
Quedó por hacer mucho después de la reunión.
Quedaban por confirmar los asistentes.
Present perfect and pluperfect
When using compound tenses, conjugate quedar and keep the infinitive after por.
He quedado por terminar la presentación.
Habíamos quedado por resolver ese punto.
Differences from similar expressions
Several Spanish constructions express unfinished actions. Here are common alternatives and how they differ from quedar por.
Falta por + infinitive
Falta por + infinitive also means something is missing or remaining. It often focuses on need or absence, whereas quedar por emphasizes what is left to do in a plan.
Todavía falta por enviar el informe. (something is missing)
Aún queda por enviar el informe. (something remains to be done)
Por hacer / pendiente de
Por hacer is a straightforward label: to do. Pendiente de emphasizes being pending or awaiting.
Tareas por hacer vs. tareas pendientes.
Las tareas quedan por hacer and Las tareas están pendientes convey similar meaning but slightly different tone: quedar por often suggests an action expected to be completed.
Common contexts and examples
Below are real-life situations where quedar por appears naturally. Each example includes a short explanation.
Work or school tasks
Queda por entregar el informe antes del viernes.
Meaning: The report still needs to be turned in before Friday.
Quedan por corregir los exámenes de la clase.
Meaning: The exams still need grading.
Plans and arrangements
Queda por decidir la fecha de la reunión.
Meaning: The meeting date is still to be decided.
¿Qué nos queda por hacer hoy?
Meaning: What do we still have left to do today?
Partial completion or sequences
La novela quedó por la mitad; me queda por leer el segundo capítulo.
Meaning: The novel was left halfway; I still have to read the second chapter.
Hicimos la lista, pero quedó por revisar.
Meaning: We made the list, but it still needs reviewing.
Pronouns and passive-like uses
You can include direct or indirect object pronouns with quedar por, and sometimes it behaves like a passive construction expressing how much of something remains.
With object pronouns
Lo queda por hacer is uncommon; prefer queda por hacerlo or queda por + infinitive. Put pronouns before the conjugated quedar or attached to the infinitive.
Se quedó por terminarlo. or Quedó por terminarlo. are both possible in some contexts.
Passive-like meaning
Quedan por distribuir 20 ejemplares suggests 20 copies remain to be distributed. This is similar to a passive sense: 20 remain to be distributed.
Style and register
Quedar por is common in neutral, everyday Spanish. It suits formal and informal registers. In highly formal writing you may find alternatives like permanecer pendiente de or falta por, but quedar por is perfectly acceptable in emails, conversations, and reports.
Regional notes
Usage is widespread across Spain and Latin America. You may hear slight preferences: some speakers use falta por more often, others prefer quedarse with participles for states. However, the meaning remains stable.
Common mistakes to avoid
Beginners may confuse placement of por, misuse conjugation, or choose the wrong verb form after por. Here are practical tips.
Do not conjugate the verb after por
Incorrect: Queda por decides la fecha.
Correct: Queda por decidir la fecha.
Match quedar to the subject
Incorrect: Quedan por enviar la carta. when referring to a single letter.
Correct: Queda por enviar la carta.
Avoid double infinitives without pronoun rules
When adding pronouns, attach them to the infinitive: Queda por hacerlo not Queda por lo hacer.
Practical tips for learners
Short strategies to practice and remember the structure.
1. Memorize the pattern: quedar (conj.) + por + infinitive. This is the backbone of correct use.
2. Practice with common verbs: hacer, enviar, decidir, terminar, revisar, confirmar. Create simple sentences about daily tasks.
3. Notice context: when someone tells you what remains to be done, listen for quedar por or alternatives like falta por and pendiente.
4. Read emails, to-do lists, and news headlines in Spanish; quedar por often appears in practical contexts (meetings, projects, deliveries).
Examples summary
Here are key examples collected for quick review:
Queda por pagar la factura.
Quedan por completar dos módulos del curso.
Quedó por decir algo importante en la reunión.
Nos queda por preparar la presentación final.
Quedaba por recoger el paquete cuando llamaron.
Conclusion
Quedar por is a useful, flexible expression for talking about unfinished actions, pending tasks, and things left to do. Remember the core pattern: conjugate quedar, add por, and use an infinitive or noun after it. With exposure and simple practice you will recognize and use this construction naturally in everyday Spanish.
