4 Vote

nonombre

I'll probably be given directions to the dunce corner for asking this - but I'm going to gird my loins and ask anyway :(

In a recent thread I used the sentence "Aquí son las oraciones en total."; however it was corrected to "Aquí están las oraciones en total.".

In this instance why use "están" and not "son"? Is it because the sentence is indicating a "location" rather than an "existence" - if that makes any sense...

Posted Aug 28, 2011
| Edited by nonombre Aug 28, 2011
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oraciones - drops the accent in the plural. :) - Tosh Aug 28, 2011 flag

Gracias Tosh :) - nonombre Aug 28, 2011 flag

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4 Answers

5 Vote

SpanishPal

Location location location --------> Estar

Aug 28, 2011
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I'm probably mistakenly placing the emphasis on the "are" rather than the "here are" in this sentence. - nonombre Aug 28, 2011 flag

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1 Vote

--Mariana--

I would say:

"Aquí están las oraciones en total." Here are (you are pointing out where they are) the sentences.

It's the same as saying "Aquí están tus zapatos."

Also, "Aquí está tu vuelto" (Here is your change $ when handing someone their $change)

Now....

If you wanted to say "The sentences are long" you'd use "Las oraciones son largas" because it's talking about the character of the sentences.

Does that help?

Aug 28, 2011
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You know what? This answer (using the sentences are/ long explanation) has probably helped me the most. Gracias. - nonombre Aug 28, 2011 flag

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1 Vote

Daniel

Here are a couple examples from my notebook all based on location:

Entiendo que el Sr. Terry estuvo aquí la semana pasada. (I understand that Mr. Terry he was here last week.)
1. Eso está en Grecia. (That is in Greece.)
2. Estuve bajo el agua por mucho tiempo. (I was under the water for a long time.)