Ser vs Estar (Present Tense) Quiz

Test your understanding of the two Spanish verbs - 'ser' and 'estar'.

Be careful as there are a couple of tricky questions 😉

A general rule* to help you decide is that 'ser' is used for 'characteristics', 'to identify' and 'to define', while 'estar' is used for 'states', 'emotions', 'actions' and 'locations' of people and things.

You might be able to remember the above points using the anagrams. SER=CID ESTAR=SEAL

(*Remember that there are nearly always exceptions to every grammar rule but the above is at least a good place to start.)

Ser vs Estar (Present Tense) Quiz

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Question 1

Rebekah y yo ________ hermanas.

A	somos
B	son Hint: You're half right. Ser is the correct verb to identify who or what people are but 'son' does not mean 'we are'.
C	estamos Hint: No, you can't use 'estar' to identify people or things.

Question 1 Explanation:

¡Correcto! 'Ser' is used to identify people and things so it's good for identifying family members. Also 'somos' is the correct conjugation for nosotros (we are). Rebekah and I are sisters.

Question 2

¿Cómo ___ Juan? ¿Alto o bajo?

A	es
B	eres Hint: Ser is the right verb but 'eres' is not the right conjugation to match 'he is' etc.
C	está Hint: No, you need to use 'ser' to speak about a person's characteristics such as being 'tall' or 'short'.

Question 2 Explanation:

Sí. Use 'ser' to ask for defining physical characteristics such as being short or tall. 'Es' is the correct conjugation for 'is he'. What is Juan like? Is he short or tall?

Question 3

Paul _____ feliz hoy.

A	es Hint: Ser is for characteristics, to define and to identify but because we are specifying that Paul is happy 'today' we show that we are talking about a changing emotion rather than a personality trait.
B	está
C	están Hint: No, 'están' means 'they are'.

Question 3 Explanation:

Well done, 'estar' is used for 'emotions' and 'está' is the correct conjugation for 'él' - 'he is'. Paul is happy today.

Question 4

Muchos de los prisioneros de Guantánamo ________ en huelga de hambre.

A	está Hint: Estar is the right verb but you must match the plural 'los prisioneros' with the right conjugation 'they are'.
B	están
C	son Hint: No, use 'estar' for 'states', 'emotions', 'actions' and 'locations' of people and things.

Question 4 Explanation:

Sí. Estar is for 'states', 'emotions', 'actions' and 'locations' of people and things. And 'estar en huelga' is a set phrase meaning 'to be on strike'. Many of the Guantanamo prisoners are on hunger strike.

Question 5

Mi amigo ________ en el banco.

A	es Hint: Ser is used for characteristics, to define and identify, not for locations (unless you're referring to an event.)
B	eres Hint: Ser is used for characteristics, to define and identify, not for locations (unless you're referring to an event.)
C	está

Question 5 Explanation:

Well done! Estar is for locations of people and places and está is the correct conjugation for él, ella and usted - 'he is'. My friend is in the bank.

Question 6

El libro ____ de mi compañero de clase.

A	estás Hint: When you 'identify' the owner of something you need to use the verb 'ser'.
B	es
C	está Hint: When you 'identify' the owner of something you need to use the verb 'ser'.

Question 6 Explanation:

Sí. When you talk about possession you are 'identifying' the owner so for that reason you use the verb 'ser' and 'es' is the correct conjugation for 'it is'. The book belongs to my classmate.

Question 7

Él _____ muy vivo, apenas tiene tres años y ya sabe leer.

A	está Hint: We're not saying that the boy is alive here, instead we're describing him as being clever, a characteristic so we need the verb 'ser'.
B	es
C	estás Hint: We're not saying that the boy is alive here, instead we're describing him as being clever, a characteristic so we need the verb 'ser'. Also 'estás' is the 'tú' conjugation which wouldn't fit either.

Question 7 Explanation:

Sí. We're not saying here that the boy is alive but instead we're describing him as clever, a characteristic. For this reason we need to use the verb 'ser' and 'es' is the correct conjugation for 'él'. He's very clever, he's barely three years old and he already knows how to read.

Question 8

How do you say I'm bored if you're male?

A	Estoy aburrido.
B	Soy aburrida. Hint: You have chosen 'soy' from the verb 'ser' but is being bored a characteristic?
C	Soy aburrido. Hint: You have chosen 'soy' from the verb 'ser' but is being bored a characteristic?

Question 8 Explanation:

Sí. Being bored is just a state so you need to use the verb 'estar'. Also you have correctly chosen the masculine form of the adjective 'aburrido'. If you were female you'd say 'estoy aburrida'.

Question 9

Mis niños _______ muy bien, gracias.

A	estás Hint: Nearly, estar is the right verb but you've chosen the wrong conjugation. You want to say that 'they' are well. Estás is the tú form of estar in the present tense and means 'you' (familiar) are well.
B	son Hint: No, 'ser' is used for characteristics, to identify and define but 'being well 'doesn't fit into these categories.
C	están

Question 9 Explanation:

Well done! You use 'estar' for 'states' and 'being well' is a state. Also, 'están' is the correct conjugation for 'ellos' - 'they are'. My children are very well, thanks.

Question 10

Shakira ____ de Colombia.

A	eres Hint: Use 'ser' for characteristics, to identify and to define. The country that you come from plays a part in defining who you are.
B	está Hint: Use 'ser' for characteristics, to identify and to define. The country that you come from plays a part in defining who you are.
C	es

Question 10 Explanation:

That's right, 'ser' is for characteristics, to identify and to define. You will likely agree that the country that you come from plays a part in defining who you are. Also 'es' is the correction conjugation of 'ser' for 'she is'. Shakira is from Colombia.

Question 11

Nosotros ___________ en casa.

A	están Hint: Estar is the right verb to use for the location of people but 'están' does not match with 'nosotros' to say 'we are'.
B	somos Hint: No, somos is a conugation of 'ser' but you need to use estar for the location of people and things.
C	estamos

Question 11 Explanation:

Sí. Estar is the right verb for the location of people and things and 'estamos' is the right conjugation to go with 'nosotros' which means 'we are'. We are at home.

Question 12

Tú ______ un buen estudiante.

A	eres
B	es Hint: Ser is the right verb, but 'es' is not the right conjugation to match tú.
C	estás Hint: No, 'estás' is a conjugation of 'estar' and you must use 'ser' to define what someone or something is.

Question 12 Explanation:

Sí. Ser is the correct verb to define what someone or something is and 'eres' is the right conjugation to match 'tú' (you are). You are a good student.

Question 13

Sus padres ________ muertos.

A	son Hint: No, death is a state so you use the verb 'ser'.
B	estamos Hint: Although 'estar' is the right verb to use, given that death is a state, estamos is the wrong conjugation, it means 'we are'.
C	están

Question 13 Explanation:

Sí. Estar is for states so it is the verb to use when describing the state of death.

Question 14

Este ___ mi tío Alejandro.

A	estás Hint: No, estás is from the verb 'estar' but you need the verb 'ser' to identify people. Also 'estás' is the tú conjugation but you need the 'él, ella and usted' conjugation.
B	está Hint: No, está is from the verb 'estar' but you need the verb 'ser' to identify people.
C	es

Question 14 Explanation:

Sí. 'Es' is from the verb 'ser' and is perfect for identifying people and things. This is my uncle Alejandro.

Question 15

La boda _____ el sábado a las 2 de la tarde.

A	es
B	son Hint: You have the right verb 'ser' but the wrong conjugation. 'Son' means' you' (pl.) or 'they are' but we need the singular conjugation - 'it is'.
C	está Hint: An event is characterised by things such as where it takes place, on what date or at what time. For this reason you use 'ser' with events.

Question 15 Explanation:

Sí. Eso es. Because an event is characterised by things such as where it takes place, on what date or at what time you use 'ser' with events. The wedding is on Saturday at 2 o'clock.

Question 16

La mesa _____ de madera.

A	somos Hint: No, although 'ser' is the correct verb, 'somos' means 'we are' and doesn't fit with the sentence.
B	es
C	está Hint: No, you must use 'ser' when you refer to what something is made of because this is a characteristic.

Question 16 Explanation:

Yes, when you refer to the material that something is made of you use the verb 'ser' because this is a characteristic. The table is made of wood.

Question 17

Yo ______ de camarero durante el invierno.

A	es Hint: No, 'es' is a conjugation of 'ser' and although 'ser' is used for professions, 'estar' is used for temporary work.
B	estoy
C	soy Hint: No, 'soy' is a conjugation of 'ser' and although 'ser' is used for professions, 'estar' is used for temporary work.

Question 17 Explanation:

Sí, although 'ser' is used for professions, 'estar' is used for temporary work and 'estoy' is the correct conjugation for 'I am'. I am working as a waiter for the winter.

Question 18

Los niños _______ corriendo.

A	es Hint: 'Es' is from the verb 'ser' but you need to use the verb 'estar' for actions such as 'running'.
B	son Hint: 'Son' does mean 'they are' but it is from the verb 'ser' but you need to use the verb 'estar' for actions such as 'running'.
C	están

Question 18 Explanation:

Sí. Bien hecho. The verb 'estar' is used for actions such as 'running'. And 'están' is the correct conjugation for 'ellos' - 'they are'. The children are running.

Question 19

Me chocó un carro pero menos mál todavía(yo) _____ vivo.

A	soy Hint: No, we're not referring to a characteristic here, we need 'estar' to refer to the 'state' of 'being alive'.
B	estoy
C	es Hint: No, we're not referring to a characteristic here, we need 'estar' to refer to the 'state' of 'being alive'. Also, 'es' means 'he is', 'she is', 'it is', 'you are' so it couldn't be the correct conjugation for 'yo' / 'I am'.

Question 19 Explanation:

Sí. Estar is the verb used to refer to states and 'being alive' is a state rather than a characteristic. Also, 'estoy' is the correct conjugation to match 'yo'. A car hit me but thank goodness I'm still alive.

Question 20

What does 'soy aburrido' mean?

A	He's bored. Hint: No, I'm afraid not. Being bored is a state but 'soy' is from the verb 'ser' which refers to characteristics so that can't be right.
B	I'm bored. Hint: No, I'm afraid not. Being bored is a state but 'soy' is from the verb 'ser' which refers to characteristics so that can't be right.
C	I'm boring.

Question 20 Explanation:

Exactly! So you want to be careful when you want to tell someone that you're bored. If you choose the verb 'ser' you'll find yourself telling them that you're boring, which I'm sure you're not at all 🙂

Question 21

¿Quién ____ el nuevo profesor de inglés?

A	es
B	estás Hint: No, you must use 'ser' to identify people and things.
C	está Hint: No, you must use 'ser' to identify people and things.

Question 21 Explanation:

Sí. As well as being used for characteristics 'ser' is used to identify and define people and things. Here we are identifying a person and also in Spanish your profession is considered to be a defining part of who you are. Also, 'es' is the correct conjugation for 'él, ella' and usted' - 'he is', 'she is', 'it is', 'you are' etc. Who is the new English teacher?

Question 22

Mi amigo ____ neozelandés.

A	está Hint: No, a person's nationality really defines him or her so you need to use the verb 'ser'.
B	es
C	eres Hint: No, although you do need to use 'ser' for nationalities, 'eres' is the wrong conjugation. 'Eres' means 'you are' but you need the conjugation that means 'he is'.

Question 22 Explanation:

Sí. Very good, a person's nationality defines them so you use the verb 'ser' and 'es' is the right conjugation for 'he is'. My friend is a New Zealander.

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