Ser & Estar — Practice

Grammar Reference

Ser & Estar — Practice — Exercises

Practice

1. Which is correct: "Ella ___ mexicana"?
   (es / está) 
2. Fill in: "El libro _____ en la mesa."
   
3. Which is correct: "Yo ____ profesor"?
   (soy / estoy) 
4. Fill in: "¿Cómo ______ hoy?" (How are you today?)
   
5. Which sentence is correct?
   (Nosotros estamos de España. / Nosotros somos de España.) 
6. Fill in: "La puerta _____ cerrada." (The door is closed.)
   
7. Which is correct: "Mi padre _____ inteligente"?
   (es / está) 
8. Fill in: "Yo _____ en Barcelona ahora." (I am in Barcelona now.)
   

Ser & Estar — Practice — Answer Key

Practice

1. es Explanation: Nationality is a permanent identity, so we use SER. "Ella es mexicana" = She is Mexican.
2. está Explanation: Location requires ESTAR. "El libro está en la mesa" = The book is on the table.
3. soy Explanation: Profession is a permanent identity, so we use SER. "Yo soy profesor" = I am a teacher.
4. estás Explanation: Asking about someone's condition/state uses ESTAR. "¿Cómo estás?" = How are you?
5. Nosotros somos de España. Explanation: Origin (where you are FROM) is permanent and uses SER. ESTAR is only for temporary location (where you ARE NOW).
6. está Explanation: A current condition or state uses ESTAR. The door is IN A CLOSED STATE now, so "está cerrada".
7. es Explanation: A personality trait or characteristic is permanent, so we use SER. "Mi padre es inteligente" = My father is intelligent.
8. estoy Explanation: Current location uses ESTAR. "Yo estoy en Barcelona" = I am in Barcelona (right now, but I might leave).