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Monday, June 05, 2006

CAP 2 --> Seccion 6: Expressing to be / Present Tense of SER

Hola clase!!!

We missed today Seccion 6: Expressing to be --> Present Tense of SER. Tomorrow, we will go over it and also over Seccion 7: Possessive Adjectives (Unstressed). Both are very related and need to be tough one after another so it will be better if I teach them the same day.
Well, nos vemos en clase!.


Sección 6: Uses of SER


Introduction:
Diferences between SER and ESTAR (TO BE)

Whole books have been written about the two important Spanish verbs: ser and estar. This will be the subject of our discussion for the next few lessons. Soon, you will have a very good understanding of how these two verbs are used.
Ser and estar can both be translated as "to be." Here is the English verb, fully conjugated: to be


I am
you are
she/he is
we are
you-all are
they are

Notice that these two sentences can have different meanings in English:


The apple is green. (Meaning the apple is not ripe.)
The apple is green. (Meaning the color of the apple is green.)

In the first case, our example speaks of the condition of the apple. The apple is green because it has not yet ripened. When the condition of the apple changes, that is, when it has ripened, it will no longer be green, it will be ripe.

In the second case, our example speaks of the essential characteristics of the apple. The apple is green in color. This particular apple remains green even after it has ripened.

In English, the verb "to be" can be used to tell how something is (the condition) and what something is (the essence).


How is the apple?
- It is unripe.
What color is the apple?
- It is green.

In Spanish, a different verb is used to express "to be" depending on whether the speaker intends to address a condition or an essential quality.

La manzana está verde. The apple is green. (condition)
La manzana es verde. The apple is green. (essence)

Note how the adjective "verde" actually changes meaning, depending upon whether it is used with ser or estar.


La manzana está verde. (condition: verde = unripe)
La manzana es verde.(essential characteristic: verde = color green)

To address condition, use estar. Estar is an irregular verb. It does not follow the standard rules of conjugation for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, you must memorize it.


yo estoy
estás
ella/él/ usted está
nosotras/os estamos
ellas/os / ustedes están

To address an essential quality, use ser. Ser is also irregular and must be memorized.


yo soy
eres
ella / él / usted es
nosotras/os somos
ellas/os / ustedes son

If you are talking about what something is, use ser.
If you are talking about how something is, use estar.

What is she like?
- She is quiet.
Use ser: Ella es callada.

How is she acting?
- She is being quiet.
Use estar: Ella está callada.

Now that we know some of the differences between SER and ESTAR, let's work with SER. Go to Puntos de Partida, página 71.

Sección 6: Uses of SER

SUMMARY OF USES OF SER
1. To Identify. (Para identificar)
2. To Describe. (Para describir)
3. Origen. (Orígen)
4. Generalization. (Generalización)
5. Possession. (Posesión)
6. Destination. (Destino)
1. To Identify: Para identificar gente y cosas. Se usa con sustantivos o pronombres que funcionan como sujeto (subject)
Saad es una persona feliz. (Con Noun - sustantivo)
Nosotros no somos fumadores activos. (Con Subject Pronoun - pronombres)
Esto es un libro. (Con Demonstrative Adjectives - adjetivos demostrativos)
2. To Describe: Para describir gente y cosas. Se usa con adjetivos que expresan las características del sujeto (color, forma, etc.)
La clase es grande.
Las faldas son negras.
3. Origin: Para expresar orígen. Se usa la preposición de+adjetive = posesión, orígen (para decir de qué material es algo - made of).
Esas bolsas son de plástico y son de Elizabeth.
Dane no es de Colombia.

4. Generalization: Sirve (it's useful) para expresar generalizaciones o expresiones impersonales. Solo (only) se usa con la conjugación en tercera persona: ES.

Es importante estudiar, pero es necesario estudiar todos los días.

5. Possession: Sirve para expresar posesión. Se usa la preposición de.

El perro es de Jessica.

6. Destination: Sirve para decir para quién y para qué algo está hecho. Se usa con para. También sirve para indicar el lugar y la fecha de un evento.

El libro Romeo and Juliet?. Es para la clase de inglés. La conferencia es en el auditorio. Las entrevistas son a las 8:00.

Now we need to go to Supplementary Materials pages 16, 17 and 18 to fill into the blanks.








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