Ser and Estar

Question 1

To address condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of conjugation for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, you must memorize it.

Answer 1

ESTAR
    estoy    
    estás
    está
    estamos
    estáis 
   están

Question 2

To address an essential quality, use ser. Ser is also irregular and must be memorized.

Answer 2

SER
   soy 
   eres 
   es  
  somos 
   sois   
   son

Question 3

Uses of SER

Answer 3

Uses of ser
the hour, day, and date
place of origin
occupation
nationality
religious or political affiliation
the material something is made of
possession
relationship of one person to another
certain impersonal expressions 
where an event is taking place

Question 4

Uses of ESTAR

Answer 4

Uses of estar
   geographic or physical location 
   state or condition 
   many idiomatic expressions 
   progressive tenses

Question 5

Ser and estar (contrasting uses)

Answer 5

Ser and estar (contrasting uses)
When a noun follows the verb, use ser
When an adjective follows the verb, decide between “essence” and “condition”
To tell where something is from, use ser
To tell where something is located right now, use estar
To tell where an event is taking place, use ser