World Languages: Spanish: Ser vs Estar
Choosing the correct verb for identity, traits, location, condition, and events
World Languages: Spanish: Ser vs Estar
Choosing the correct verb for identity, traits, location, condition, and events
World Languages - Grade 9-12
- 1
Complete the sentence with the correct form of ser or estar: Yo _____ estudiante en la escuela secundaria.
Think about what someone is, not where someone is or how someone feels.
The correct answer is soy. The sentence is Yo soy estudiante en la escuela secundaria. Use ser for identity or role. - 2
Complete the sentence with the correct form of ser or estar: Mis amigos _____ en la biblioteca ahora.
The correct answer is están. The sentence is Mis amigos están en la biblioteca ahora. Use estar for location. - 3
Choose the correct verb and explain why: La clase de español es a las diez. La clase de español está a las diez.
Scheduled events use ser, even if they happen in a specific place or time.
The correct sentence is La clase de español es a las diez. Use ser for the time when an event or class takes place. - 4
Complete the sentence with the correct form of ser or estar: Nosotros _____ cansados después del partido.
The correct answer is estamos. The sentence is Nosotros estamos cansados después del partido. Use estar for a temporary condition or feeling. - 5
Complete the sentence with the correct form of ser or estar: Mi abuela _____ de Puerto Rico.
Origin means where a person or thing is from.
The correct answer is es. The sentence is Mi abuela es de Puerto Rico. Use ser for origin. - 6
Look at the context and choose the correct sentence: El café es frío. El café está frío. The coffee has been sitting on the table for an hour.
The correct sentence is El café está frío. Use estar because the coffee is cold as a condition right now. - 7
Complete the sentence with the correct form of ser or estar: La fiesta _____ en la casa de Elena este sábado.
Events are a special case. Use ser to say where or when an event takes place.
The correct answer is es. The sentence is La fiesta es en la casa de Elena este sábado. Use ser for the location of an event. - 8
Write the correct form of ser or estar in each blank: Tú _____ muy inteligente, pero hoy _____ distraído.
The correct answers are eres and estás. The sentence is Tú eres muy inteligente, pero hoy estás distraído. Use ser for a lasting characteristic and estar for a temporary state today. - 9
Choose the correct meaning of the sentence: Ana está aburrida. Does it mean Ana is a boring person or Ana is bored right now? Explain.
Some adjectives change meaning depending on ser or estar.
Ana está aburrida means Ana is bored right now. Use estar with aburrida to describe a current feeling or condition. - 10
Choose the correct meaning of the sentence: Ana es aburrida. Does it mean Ana is a boring person or Ana is bored right now? Explain.
Ana es aburrida means Ana is a boring person. Use ser with aburrida to describe a general characteristic. - 11
Complete the short paragraph with the correct forms of ser or estar: Mi hermano _____ médico. Hoy _____ en el hospital. Él _____ muy ocupado porque muchos pacientes _____ enfermos.
Identify whether each blank describes a profession, a location, or a temporary condition.
The correct answers are es, está, está, and están. The paragraph is Mi hermano es médico. Hoy está en el hospital. Él está muy ocupado porque muchos pacientes están enfermos. Use ser for profession, and use estar for location and temporary conditions. - 12
Create two original Spanish sentences about yourself. Use one form of ser in the first sentence and one form of estar in the second sentence. Then label why you used each verb.
Answers will vary. A correct response might be Yo soy estudiante because ser describes identity, and Yo estoy en casa because estar describes location.