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Uses of 'Ser'

Describing people

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.
Describing objects

Describing objects

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

Describing relationships

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

Ownership

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

Time of day

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

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.

How much something costs

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.
'Ser' with 'para'

'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).
Where something is taking place

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.
Followed by an adjective

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.

Es + adjective + que

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
1

The Basics

2

Current & Future Study & Employment

2.1

School & Subjects

2.2

School & Subjects - Translations (Foundation)

2.3

School & Subjects - Translations (Higher)

2.4

Education Post - 16

2.5

Education Post - 16 - Translations (Foundation)

2.6

Education Post - 16 - Translations (Higher)

3

Identity & Culture

3.1

Me, My Family & Friends

3.2

Me, Family & Friends - Translations (Foundation)

3.3

Me, Family & Friends - Translations (Higher)

3.4

Technology in Everyday Life

3.5

Tech in Everyday Life - Translations (Foundation)

3.6

Tech in Everyday Life - Translations (Higher)

3.7

Free Time Activities

3.8

Free Time Activities - Translations (Foundation)

3.9

Free Time Activities - Translations (Higher)

3.10

Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries

3.11

Customs & Festivals - Translations (Foundation)

3.12

Customs & Festivals - Translations (Higher)

4

Areas of Interest

4.1

Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region

4.2

Home & Region - Translations (Foundation)

4.3

Home & Region - Translations (Higher)

4.4

Social Issues

4.5

Social Issues - Translations (Foundation)

4.6

Social Issues - Translations (Higher)

4.7

Global Issues

4.8

Global Issues - Translations

4.9

Travel & Tourism

4.10

Travel & Tourism - Translations

5

Listening Practice

5.1

Time Expressions - Listening

5.2

Me, My Family & Friends - Listening

5.3

Technology in Everyday Life - Listening

5.4

Free-Time - Listening

5.5

Customs & Festivals - Listening

5.6

Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Listening

5.7

Social Issues - Listening

5.8

Travel & Tourism - Listening

5.9

Education - Listening

5.10

Food & Drink - Listening

5.11

In the Home - Listening

5.12

Colours - Listening

5.13

Clothes & Accesories - Listening

5.14

Measurements - Listening

5.15

Materials - Listening

6

Common Tenses

7

Important Verbs

8

Advanced Tenses

9

Extra Grammar

9.1

Articles

9.2

Negatives

9.3

Nouns

9.4

Asking Questions

9.5

Adjectives

9.6

Adverbs

9.7

Conjunctions

9.8

Pronouns

9.9

By, With, From, Of

9.10

Verbs

9.11

Comparisons

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