Question

1. the verb estar and its uses

remember that two verbs in spanish mean to be: ser and estar. (the uses of ser are presented in chapter 4.) review the conjugation of ser, and study the conjugation of the present tense of estar.
ser to be
singular plural
first person soy somos
second person eres sois
third person es son
estar to be
singular plural
first person estoy estamos
second person estás estáis
third person está están
estar is used to express location or position, whether it is permanent or temporary:
barcelona está en españa. barcelona is in spain.
—¿dónde está el banco? “where’s the bank?”
—está cerca de la biblioteca. “it’s near the library.”
estar is used with adjectives that indicate changing conditions such as health, happiness, being busy or tired, and the like:
—¿cómo está marisol? “how is marisol?”
—está ocupada y contenta. “she’s busy and happy.”
—y armando, ¿cómo está? “and armando, how is he?”
—está cansado y nervioso. “he’s tired and nervous.”
note: adjectives used with ser and estar must agree with the noun in gender and number.
estar is used to show a condition that results from an action, such as opening a window:
—¿está abierta la ventana? “is the window open?”
—no, está cerrada. “no, it’s closed.”
¿ser o estar? complete each of the following sentences by writing the correct form of either ser or estar.

1. augusto y elvira ______ en guadalajara.
2. yo ______ de taxco.
3. ¿______ amarillas las flores?
4. memo ______ enfermo hoy.
5. el libro ______ muy aburrido.
6. los paquetes y las cartas ______ abiertos.
7. jo aría y yo ______ de vacaciones en acapulco.

Explanation:

1. "Augusto y Elvira" are indicating a location in Guadalajara, so "están" (plural form of estar) is used for location.
2. "Yo" expressing origin from Taxco, "soy" (first - person singular of ser) is correct for origin.
3. "Las flores" being yellow is a permanent characteristic, so "son" (third - person plural of ser) is used.
4. "Memo" being sick today is a temporary condition, so "está" (third - person singular of estar) is used.
5. "El libro" being boring is a characteristic, "es" (third - person singular of ser) is appropriate.
6. "Los paquetes y las cartas" being open is a condition resulting from an action, so "están" (plural form of estar) is used.
7. "José y yo" on vacation in Acapulco is a temporary state, so "estamos" (first - person plural of estar) is used.

Answer:

1. están
2. soy
3. son
4. está
5. es
6. están
7. estamos