Using Spanish "To Be" Verbs Correctly - Ser and Estar

You want to say "How are you?"

What is the correct translation?

¿Cómo ____________ ?

• estás

• es

You want to say "How are you?"

What is the correct translation?

¿Cómo estás ?

Which letter of PLACE justifies this choice?

• P

• L

• A

• C

• E

Answer explanation

BTW "C" = condition. When you ask someone how he is feeling, you are inquiring about his condition.

You want to translate:

We are there.

Nosotros ____________ allí.

• estamos

• somos

Answer explanation

You want to translate:

We are there.

Nosotros estamos allí.

Which letter in the pneumonic device PLACE justifies this response?

(Note: "L" for location if for a physical place, like a house, store, etc.)

• P

• L

• A

• C

• E

Answer explanation

L is the best answer because it means "location," however P for position is a good answer.

You want to say "I am eating Lucky Charms."

What is the correct translation?

Yo _________ comiendo los Lucky Charms.

• estoy

• soy

You want to say "I am eating Lucky Charms."

The translation is: "Yo estoy comiendo los Lucky Charms."

What letter of the pneumonic device "PLACE" justifies this answer?

• P

• L

• A

• C

• E

Answer explanation

"A" is the best answer because this is a "present progressive" sentence - it is "action."

You want to say: "We are angry."

The translation is: Nosotros ___________ enojados.

• estamos

• somos

You want to say: "We are angry."

The translation is: Nosotros estamos enojados.

What letter of the pneumonic device "PLACE" justifies this answer?

• P

• L

• A

• C

• E

Answer explanation

The answer is "E" for emotion because emotions can change.

You want to say: "They are Colombians."

The translation is: "Ellas _________ colombianas."

• están

• son

You want to say: "They are Colombians."

The translation is: "Ellas son colombianas."

What letter of the pneumonic device "DOCTOR" justifies the answer.

• D

• O

• C

• T

• R

Answer explanation

"O" is the answer because "colombiana" refers to the girls' ethnic "origin."