¿Ser o Estar?
  Write the rule that applies to each of the following sentences:
Let's talk about the two verbs and their uses.
Using the Verb 'Estar'
Remember the conjugation of the verb estar? It's irregular and you'll need to memorize it.
RULES: Use estar to... 1. Describe someone's or something's position. The computer is on the desk.
La computadora está en el escritorio. Los estudiantes están sentados.The students are sitting down.
La pantalla está enfrente del proyector.
The screen is in front of the projector. 2. Talk about location.
Tu escuela está en Lexington.
Your school is in Lexington.
Boston está en Massachusetts.
Boston is in Massachusetts.
Mi mamá está en el trabajo. My mom's at work.
3. Describe an action in progress. Lourdes está estudiando.
Lourdes is studying. Miguel y José Luis están comiendo enchiladas de frijoles y camote. Miguel and José Luis are eating bean and sweet potato enchiladas. El teléfono está sonando.The phone is ringing.
4. Comment on someone or something's momentary condition.
Paco está cansado.
Paco's tired. Elena y Marisol están resfriadas. Elena and Marisol are sick with a cold. La pizza está buena hoy.The pizza's good today.
Estás elegante.
You're dressed up.
Los duraznos no están maduros todavía. The peaches aren't ripe yet. Usualmente es calmado, pero hoy está loco.
Usually he's calm, but today he's being silly. 5. Talk about feelings.
Estoy feliz.
I'm happy.
Estamos nerviosos porque tenemos un examen hoy. We're nervous because we have an exam today. Está aliviada porque encontró una calculadora antes del examen. She's relieved because she found a calculator before the test. 6. Describe the weather.
Está lloviendo.
It's raining.
El tiempo está bonito hoy.
The weather's nice today. Using the Verb 'Ser'
Now let's review the conjugation of the verb ser, which, like estar, is irregular and should be memorized.
RULES: Use ser to...
1. Describe someone or something.
El sol es grande y muy caliente.
The sun is large and very hot.
Ricardo es reservado.
Richard is shy.
Elena es inteligente.
Helen is intelligent.
La plata es un metal precioso.
Silver is a precious metal.
La Tierra es la tercera planeta en el sistema solar.
Earth is the third planet in the solar system.
Boston es una ciudad. Utah es un estado.
Boston is a city. Utah is a state.
2. Explain a relationship.
Esta casa es de mi abuela.
This house is my grandmother's.
Él es mi papá.
He's my dad.
Este es mi primo.
This is my cousin.
Hanna es mi amiga.
Hannah is my friend.
Ese teléfono es de Marcos.
That telephone is Marcos'.
3. Give someone's occupation.
Mi vecino es bombero.
My neighbor is a firefighter.
Somos estudiantes.
We are students.
Marisol dice que su mamá es vendedora.
Marisol says that her mom is a salesperson.
Ella es la chofer de nuestro autobús escolar.
She is our schoolbus driver.
Ramón es nuestro cartero.
Ramón is our mail carrier.
4. State where someone is from.
Sara es de India. Es india.
Sara's from India. She's Indian.
Bruno es argentino. Es de Argentina.
Bruno's Argentinian. He's from Argentina.
Gené es de Madrid. Es de la capital de España.
Gené is from Madrid, Spain. She is from the capital of Spain.
5. Tell time.
Es la una.
It's one o'clock.
Son las dos.
It's two o'clock.
Son las tres y media.
It's three thirty.
Es el mediodía.
It's noon.
Es hora de almorzar.
It's time to eat lunch.
6. Give the day and date.
Es jueves. Es el nueve de abril.
It's Thursday. It's April 9th.
Es sábado. Es el veinticuatro de mayo.
It's Saturday. It's May 24th.
Es lunes. Es el diez de junio.
It's Monday. It's June 10th.
7. Share your opinion using impersonal expressions.
Es importante ser una persona ética.
It's important to be an ethical person.
Es bueno estudiar la historia.
It's good to study history.
Es peligroso acampar en las montañas sin suministros de emergencia.
It's dangerous to camp in the mountains without emergency supplies.
Quiz Yourself!
Don't see the exercise below? You can find it here.
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