SER vs. ESTAR (Graded w/ Explanations)

The verbs ser and estar are exactly the same and can be used interchangeably.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Nope- no way! We have 2 different acronyms (DOCTOR and PLACE) because we use SER and ESTAR in different ways.

For which of the following would you use the verb 'ser?'

• descriptions and actions

• descriptions and origin

• origin and emotions

• actions and emotions

For which of the following would you use the verb 'estar?'

• conditions and actions

• occupations and actions

• occupations and locations

• relationship and characteristics

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Which of the following has a correct conjugation of the verb 'estar?'

• Tú está lejos de la escuela.

• Yo estás cerca de la escuela.

• Nosotros estamos al lado de la escuela.

• Ellos estamos en la escuela.

Answer explanation

"Nosotros estamos" is the only correct subject/verb combination.

Which of the following has a correct conjugation of the verb 'ser?'

• Él es de Argentina.

• Yo eres de Colombia.

• Los estudiantes nuevos soy de Venezuela.

• Tú somos de Ecuador.

Answer explanation

"Él es" is the only correct subject/verb combination.

Which of the following sentences expresses an in-action verb?

• Carlos está contento.

• Estoy desayunando con mi familia.

• Mi hermano es bombero.

• Nosotros somos altos.

Answer explanation

The "A" in PLACE stands for "Action," so verbs that end in -ando/-iendo/-yendo (English = -ing)

Translate the following: He is blonde.

• Él está rubia.

• Él eres rubio.

• Él es rubia.

• Él es rubio.

Answer explanation

You have to make sure your adjective agrees in gender and number. "rubiA" is feminine, so make sure you choose "rubiO" for a male.

Translate: The pen is green.

• La pluma es verde.

• La pluma está verde.

• La pluma es roja.

• La pluma está roja.

Translate: The pizza is delicious today.

• La pizza están rica hoy.

• La pizza es rica hoy.

• La pizza está rica hoy.

• La pizza son rica hoy.

Answer explanation

We use ESTAR (está) in this situation because the pizza just happens to be good today- it normally isn't. The word "hoy" changes it to ESTAR because it's like a one-time thing. If the pizza was ALWAYS delicious, it would be SER (es).

Translate: They are good people.

• Ellos están buenas personas.

• Ellos son buenas personas.

• Ellos están buenas personas.

• Ellos está buenos personas.

Answer explanation

This is a description of the type of people (personas) they are.