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6. To Be and to Have

 

ser - to be               estar - to be               tener - to have
soy
eres
es
somos
sois
son
estoy
estás
está
estamos
estáis
están
tengo
tienes
tiene
tenemos
tenéis
tienen

Note: Ser is used to indentify or describe. It tells what something is, its basic characteristics, or its origin. Estar is used to tell the location of something or how someone feels.

Uses of Ser

Identify person/object Inherent characteristics or qualities Nationality/Occupation Telling time Express ownership Impersonal expressions Passive voice El edificio es un templo. La casa es grande. Carlos es pobre. Es carpintero. Son las tres. Los libros son de Juan. Es necesario. El telefono fue inventado por Bell. The building is a temple. The house is large. Charles is poor. He is a carpenter. It's three o'clock. The books are John's. It is necessary. The telephone was invented by Bell.

Uses of Estar

Location/position Temporary condition/stateState of health Form progressive tense El libro está en la mesa.La ventana está abierta.Juan está enfermo. Miguel está estudiando. The book is on the table. The window is open. John is sick. Michael is studying.

Common Expressions with "to be" to be afraid - tener miedo to be against - estar en contra to be at fault - tener la culpa to be careful - tener cuidado to be cold - tener frío to be curious - ser curioso (a) to be happy - estar contento (a) to be hot - tener calor to be hungry - tener hambre to be in a hurry - tener prisa, estar de prisa to be jealous - tener celos to be lucky - tener suerte to be patient - tener paciencia to be successful - tener éxito to be thirsty - tener sed to be tired - estar cansado (a)

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