SER: Lección 1.3

Conjugation in the present

Uses

Ser = To be

• Yo soy = I am Nosotros somos = We are

• Tú eres = You are Vosotros sois = You are

• Ud. es = You are Uds. son = You are• Él es = He is Ellos son = They are• Ella es = She is Ellas son = They are

Some uses of the verb “ser”

• To state a predicate nominative *

• To ask and tell place of origin *

• To ask and state possession *

• To ask and state time of day

• To ask and state the date

• To express a permanent characteristic

Predicate Nominative

• Think of the verb “ser” as an equal sign. =

• When the predicate renames the subject, the verb “ser” is used.

• Identification of people and things, nationality, and profession are examples of the use of “ser” with predicate nominatives.

La mujer es profesora.

Los chicos son mis hermanos.

La cosa es un libro.

Yo soy norteamericano.

Note: The indefinite articles un/una are not used to simply state profession and nationality.

Asking and telling place of origin

• ¿De dónde + ser?

• From where (is/are) ?

• Ser + de + (lugar de origen)(To be + from + (place of origin)

• To express our place of origin, we use the verb “ser,” followed by the word “de,” followed by the place from where we originate. (country, state, city)

Asking and stating possession

In English, we use ‘s or s’ to express possession.

The girl’s books. The parents’ house.

In Spanish we do not use ‘s/s’ for possesion.

In Spanish, we use the verb “ser” with the preposition “de” to express:

The books of the girl. The house of the parents.

• To express possession, with the preposition de:—¿De quién es/son? —¿De quiénes es/son?

Whose is it? Whose is it?

Whose are they? Whose are they?

Note: The verb “ser” agrees with the possession, while quién and quiénes refer to the owner. (de + el = del)

—Es el diario de Maite. —Son los lápices de las chicas.

It’s Maite’s diary. They are the girls’ pencils.

—Es la computadora de los chicos. —Son las maletas del chico.

It’s the boys’ computer. They are the boy’s suitcases.