Are there easier ways to remember when to use Ser and Estar?

Question

Can someone post questions for Ser and Estar?? Just so I can practice using them.. I just need questions that have blanks for the ser and estar verbs. Is there any other way to differentiate them without the DOCTOR and PLACE acronyms? Not that I'm complaining, but it takes way too long to remember them and by the time I think of the right word(half the time I'm wrong..) it takes me about 10~30seconds. If there's a good site that has these kind of questions, I'd love to see it. Thank you!

I gave your post a more specific title. - webdunce, Jan 12, 2011

Answer 1

How you feel and where you are,

This is where you use 'estar'!

I learned this as "For how you feel and where you are ALWAYS use the verb estar." I'm voiting for this answer, it works most of the time and is very easy to remember. - n8er8er, Jan 12, 2011

I actually saw that in Paralee's video.. But it doesn't work for everything, does it? I guess I'm just gonna have to develop that "feel"... - Saphire, Jan 12, 2011

Answer 2

Is there any other way to differentiate them without the DOCTOR and PLACE acronyms? Not that I'm complaining, but it takes way too long to remember them and by the time I think of the right word(half the time I'm wrong..) it takes me about 10~30seconds.

That's exactly what I always say about "ser" and "estar": what's the use of these acronyms, if you have to search letter by letter until you have checked the long list of rules? For writing maybe it's OK, but definitely not for speaking. Check the links you've been given: I give one single rule for the difficult uses of each verb. Of course, there are other uses, but they are too specific to pose a problem.

The same for W I E R D O for the subjunctive. :) - ian-hill, Jan 12, 2011

Answer 3

Hi Sakura,

You can find All about Ser and Estar here.

You can also make a search in the Flashcard section, there are several for practising the use of ser and estar

Saludos, Chica

Thanks for adding that thread, chica:) - 00494d19, Jan 12, 2011

welcome :) - chicasabrosa, Jan 12, 2011

Answer 4

It is better to remember that Ser pertains to Identity (with all of its elements) and that Estar pertains to States of Being: Condition, Location, and the Present Progressive.

Welcome to the forum Shaz. - Yeser007, Jan 12, 2011