8.1.12

Uses of To Be

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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.
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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

  • 'Ser' is used when talking about cost.
  • From asking how much something costs.
    • ¿Cuánto es?
      • How much is it?
  • To saying how much it is.
    • Son cien libras.
      • They are 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.
    • El cuchillo es para cortar el pollo.
      • The knife is to cut the chicken with.
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When 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, it is used to show a subjective opinion.
    • Es extraño que...
      • it is strange that...
    • Es evidente que...
      • it is obvious that...

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

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