“Quedar por” vs “Faltar por” in Spanish: things still left to do

Introduction

Spanish learners often face subtle differences between verbs that both translate as things left to do. This article explains when to use quedar por versus faltar por, with clear rules, examples, and notes on regional and contextual differences so you can speak and write more naturally.

Overview: what these expressions mean

Both quedar por and faltar por express that something remains to be done, but they emphasize different perspectives. Quedar por focuses on what remains as part of a plan, list, or sequence. Faltar por highlights absence or the need to complete something, often emphasizing shortage or an unmet requirement.

Key idea at a glance

Quedar por = items left on a list or steps remaining in a process.

Faltar por = things missing, lacking, or still needed to complete something.

Basic structure and common conjugations

Both verbs are used in periphrastic constructions. You will commonly see them with an infinitive or a noun. Learn these common patterns to recognize meaning quickly.

Quedar (present indicative) + por + infinitive or noun:

Queda por hacer la presentación.

Quedan por revisar los documentos.

Faltar (present indicative) + por + infinitive or noun:

Falta por enviar el informe.

Faltan por traer las herramientas.

Other tenses work the same way: quedaba por, quedará por, faltaba por, faltará por. Pay attention to agreement when using plural nouns: queda vs quedan; falta vs faltan.

How quedar por is used

Quedar por often points to the remaining items within a plan, schedule, or sequence. It implies organization and an expected order. Use it when you think of a to-do list or steps in a process.

Examples showing sequence or list

Queda por terminar el capítulo antes de la reunión.

Quedan por corregir tres errores en el texto.

Queda por decidir la fecha del viaje.

Note how each sentence treats remaining tasks as part of a broader plan: finish the chapter, correct three errors, decide a date. Quedar por signals that these tasks belong to that plan.

Nuance with actors and passive meaning

You can use quedar por in passive-like contexts to indicate an action that still needs to happen without specifying the actor. It often implies an expectation that someone will do it.

El trabajo queda por hacer.

Aún quedan por llamar a los invitados.

Here the performer is unspecified, but it is understood that someone will carry out these tasks.

How faltar por is used

Faltar por emphasizes absence, shortage, or incompleteness. It often communicates that something essential is still missing or required. Use it when focusing on what is lacking rather than the list structure.

Examples showing lack or necessity

Falta por firmar el contrato para que todo sea oficial.

Faltan por añadir las ruedas para que la mesa sea funcional.

Falta por confirmar la asistencia de varios invitados.

Each sentence stresses that something necessary has not yet been done: signing the contract, attaching wheels, confirming attendance. The feeling is of incompletion or deficiency.

Faltar por vs faltar a

Do not confuse faltar por with faltar a. Faltar a often means to miss or to fail to attend. Faltar por focuses on something remaining to be done.

Faltó a la reunión means someone did not attend the meeting.

Faltó por enviar el correo means the email was not yet sent or remained to be sent.

Direct objects and agreement

Both verbs agree with plural nouns. When the subject is an impersonal expression, use the singular if the noun is singular and plural if the noun is plural.

Queda por entregar un paquete.

Quedan por entregar varios paquetes.

Falta por preparar la cena.

Faltan por preparar las entradas.

When you use an infinitive after por, conjugation stays with the verb quedar or faltar. The infinitive is invariable:

Queda por limpiar la casa.

Falta por pagar la factura.

Common collocations and verbs often used with each

Certain verbs and contexts favor one expression over the other. Below are frequent pairings that will help you sound natural.

With quedar por: decidir, revisar, terminar, hacer, corregir, confirmar.

Queda por decidir el horario.

Quedan por revisar los resultados.

With faltar por: firmar, llegar, pagar, traer, confirmar, completar.

Falta por pagar la letra.

Faltan por traer las sillas.

Subtle differences in tone and register

Quedar por is often neutral and practical, appropriate for planning and reporting progress. It fits formal and informal contexts when you track tasks.

Faltar por can carry a slightly stronger sense of urgency or deficiency, especially when the missing element is important. It is useful when you want to emphasize that something is still needed to reach completion.

Compare these two:

Queda por enviar la invitación. (There is an invitation left to send as part of the planning.)

Falta por enviar la invitación. (Sending the invitation is still necessary; the process is incomplete and might cause problems.)

Examples in short dialogues

Dialogue 1 — planning a meeting:

— ¿Qué queda por hacer?

— Queda por preparar la presentación y por imprimir las hojas.

Dialogue 2 — checking requirements:

— ¿Está todo listo para el evento?

— No, falta por confirmar el catering y aún faltan sillas.

These dialogues show how quedar por frames remaining tasks and faltar por stresses missing necessities.

Regional and stylistic notes

Usage can vary by region. In some dialects, speakers prefer one phrase over the other in everyday conversation, but the grammatical distinctions remain. In formal writing, both are acceptable depending on the nuance you want to convey.

In many Latin American countries, you may hear alternatives like queda por hacer and falta por hacer interchangeably in casual contexts. Focus on meaning: if you want to emphasize an ordered plan, choose quedar por; to emphasize lack or necessity, choose faltar por.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Confusing faltar a with faltar por. Remember that faltar a often means to miss or not attend, while faltar por indicates something remains to be done.

2. Forgetting agreement. Match queda/falta with singular nouns and quedan/faltan with plural nouns.

3. Overusing one expression. Native speakers choose based on nuance. When in doubt, decide whether you want to highlight a remaining step (quedar por) or a missing necessity (faltar por).

Practice by noticing usage in real life

To internalize the difference, read Spanish news, instruction manuals, or event announcements and spot these phrases. Pay attention to whether the author is listing remaining tasks or indicating missing items. Listening to podcasts and conversations will also help you sense the subtle difference in tone and urgency.

Quick reference summary

Use quedar por when:

– You refer to tasks left on a list or steps in a plan.

– You want a neutral way to describe what remains.

Use faltar por when:

– You want to emphasize something missing or necessary.

– You need to highlight incompleteness or shortage.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between quedar por and faltar por will make your Spanish more precise. Remember that quedar por frames remaining tasks within a plan, while faltar por highlights what is missing or needed. Notice real examples, practice with sentences, and over time the nuance will feel natural.