7.1.2

Uses of 'Ser'

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Uses of 'Ser'

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Describing people

  • Theo es alto.
    • Theo is tall.
  • Soy español.
    • I am Spanish.
  • Xavi es futbolista profesional.
    • Xavi is a professional footballer.
  • Tu eres amable.
    • You are kind.
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Describing objects

  • La mesa es grande.
    • The table is big.
  • La mesa es de madera.
    • The table is made of wood.
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Describing relationships

  • Charlotte es mi novia.
    • Charlotte is my girlfriend.
  • Guillermo es mi hermano.
    • William is my brother.
  • Somos amigos.
    • We are friends.
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Ownership

  • Estos calcetines son míos.
    • These socks are mine.
  • El cuadro es de Velázquez.
    • This painting is by Velázquez.
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Time of day

  • ¿Qué hora es?
    • What time is it?.
  • Es la una.
    • It is one o'clock.
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Day, month, date

  • Hoy es viernes.
    • Today, it is Friday.
  • Es el 16 de junio.
    • It is the 16th of June.

Uses of 'Ser'

The verb 'ser' has many different uses.

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How much something costs

  • For asking how much something costs.
    • ¿Cuánto es?
      • How much is it?
  • For saying how much it is.
    • Son cien libras.
      • It is 100 pounds.
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'Ser' with 'para'

  • When used with 'para', 'ser' is used to show the destination of an object.
  • You use the verb to highlight who the recipient is.
    • Este regalo es para tí.
      • This present is for you.
  • With 'para', 'ser' is also used to show the use of an object.
    • Estas tijeras son para cortar el pelo.
      • These scissors are to cut hair (are hair scissors).
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Where something is taking place

  • 'Ser' is used to say when an event is taking place.
    • El almuerzo es a las dos.
      • Lunch is at 2 o'clock.
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Followed by an adjective

  • When 'ser' is followed by an adjective + que, it is used to show a subjective opinion.
    • Es extraño que...
      • it is strange that...
    • Es evidente que...
      • it is obvious that...

Impersonal Expressions Using 'Ser'

The third person singular of 'ser' can be used with an adjective followed by 'que' to create an impersonal opinion.

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Es + adjective + que

  • To create an impersonal opinion you need to use the third person singular of 'ser'.
  • You can use any tense of ‘ser’.
  • You cannot express any doubt in these phrases.

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Current & Future Study & Employment

3Identity & Culture

3.1Me, My Family & Friends

3.2Me, My Family & Friends - Translations

3.3Technology in Everyday Life

3.4Technology in Everyday Life - Translations

3.5Free Time Activities

3.6Free Time Activities - Translations

3.7Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries

3.8Customs & Festivals - Translations

4Areas of Interest

4.1Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region

4.2Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Translations

4.3Social Issues

4.4Social Issues - Translations

4.5Global Issues

4.6Global Issues - Translations

4.7Travel & Tourism

4.8Travel & Tourism - Translations

5Listening Practice

6Common Tenses

7Important Verbs

8Advanced Tenses

9Extra Grammar

9.1Articles

9.2Negatives

9.3Nouns

9.4Asking Questions

9.5Adjectives

9.6Adverbs

9.7Conjunctions

9.8Pronouns

9.9By, With, From, Of

9.10Verbs

9.11Comparisons

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