Ser o Estar? Flashcards
Does this sentence need a ser form or an estar form
Ser o Esar?
Juan ( ) médico.
es
John is a doctor.
When the verb “to be” is followed by a noun the verb ser is always used
Ser o Estar?
La sopa ( ) fría.
está
The soup is cold.
When the verb “to be” is followed by an adjective, the verb depends upon the meaning. When referring to an essential characteristic, use ser, when referring to a state or condition, use estar
Ser o Estar?
Los elefantes ( ) grandes
son
The elephants are big.
When the v “to be” is followed by an adj, the v depends upon the meaning. When referring to an essential characteristic, use ser, when referring to a state or condition, use estar. Also pay attention to the plurality in the sentence here to indicate the need for “son” (are)
Ser o Estar?
El profesor ( ) aburrido.
(conditional)
está
The professor is bored.
When the verb “to be” is followed by an adjective, the verb can actually change the meaning of the adjective
Ser o Estar?
El profesor ( ) aburrido.
(essential characteristic)
es
The professor is boring.
The use of es here vs. the está in “El profesor está aburrido” is a difference of essential characteristic vs. a conditional state. To be ‘bored’ is a conditional state of being (está), to be ‘boring’ is a characteristic something someone IS; therefore: es for the characteristic
Ser o Estar?
Mónica ( ) de España.
es
Monica is from Spain.
To describe origin, or where something is from, use ser
Ser o Estar?
Mónica ( ) en Venezuela.
está
Monica is in Venezuela.
To describe location, or where something is located right now, use estar
Ser o Estar?
La fiesta ( ) en la casa de Mónica.
es
The party is at Monica’s house.
To tell where an event is taking place, use ser
