Notes on Ser vs. Estar

por Señora Chinchilla

  

SER C-characteristic/description

H-hour(time)

O-origin, occupationR-religion,raceN-nationality

Ser is used:(Unchanging conditions)

• to express a characteristic, a description, or an identification.

• to express a profession, occupation, or nationality.

• to express dates and times.• with de to express origin, possession,

or material.

estoy

estás

está

estamos

estáis

están

HELP

ealthmotionocationrogressive (“-ing”)

ESTAR

Estar is used:(temporary conditions) 

• to tell where the subject is or how the subject feels.

• to express location and feelings that may change from moment to moment.

• to form the progressive tenses with the present participle. (gerund = “ing”)

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

1. María ___________ alta, rubia, y simpática.es

Reason: Description

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

2. José no va a la escuela. Él _________ enfermo hoy.

está

Reason: Health

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

3. ¿Tú ________ de San Juan, Puerto Rico, no?

eres

Reason: Origin

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

4. Nosotros __________ en la clase de español ahora.

estamos

Reason: Location

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

5. Ella ________ llamando (calling) su madre por teléfono.

está

Reason: Present Progressive

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

6. Brad Pitt _________ un actor famoso.es

Reason: Occupation

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

7. ¿Por qué Ustedes __________ tristes hoy?

están

Reason: Emotion

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

8. ¿Dónde _________ el cine? En la calle Main.

está

Reason: Location

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

9. ¿Qué hora ________? es

Reason: Time

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

10. Marcos _______ un trabajador y muy inteligente.

es

Reason: Description

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

11. _____ las tres y media de la tarde.Son

Reason: Time

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of SER or ESTAR and give reasons.

12. Nosotros _________ cansados y deprimidos hoy.

estamos

Reason: Emotion