Spanish: An Essential Grammar

Situations which demand estar

To express location or position (whether temporary or

permanent)

Sus papeles estaban sobre la His papers were on the table.

mesa.

Lima está en (el) Perú. Lima is in Peru.

Compare with 20.1.7.

To form the progressive (or continuous) tenses

See 10.10.

Serand estarwith adjectives

It is possible to use either seror estarwith adjectives, but not indiscrimi-

nately. If the following distinctions are borne in mind, the context of use

should indicate which is the correct verb to choose.

Ser + adjective

Ser + adjective in general indicates an inherent or essential characteristic,

with no idea of change. It implies that you are putting someone or some-

thing into a particular class or type. It is ‘to be’ by nature:

Ana es pálida. Ana is pale (normally of pale

complexion).

Estas peras son agrias. These pears are sour (of a

sour variety).

Mi hermano es alegre. My brother is happy (of

cheerful disposition).

20.3.1

20.3

20.2.2

20.2.1

(^1111) 20.2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1011

1

12111

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

20111

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

30111

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

40

41111

Serand estar

with

adjectives

211