the verb ser

Question

to shorten "el libro es para mi" (the book is for me) to "it is for me"...... would i say:

"es para mi" or "lo es para mi"?

Thankyou!

Pleaser remember that correct spelling and capitalization are mandatory on this site, welcome to the forum:) - 00494d19, Apr 5, 2011

sorry! I will try to remember. - billygoat, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 1

to shorten "el libro es para mi" (the book is for me) to "it is for me"...... would i say:

"es para mi" or "lo es para mi"?

"El libro" is the subject, and "para mí" is a possessive phrase (I rather avoid using 'object', because this phrase is optional and cannot be replaced with a pronoun) that you add to the verb. That "lo" shouldn't be there. What would it refer to anyway?

el libro (subject) es (transitive verb - 'it is' in this context) para (preposition) mí(preposition object)

"Ser" is not a transitive verb, but a copulative one. 99.99% of the verbs are either transitive or intransitive, but there is a tiny group -within which we find "ser"- called copulative, which have a special behaviour and a special kind of object called attribute. Unlike transitive verbs, these attributes can always be replaced with "lo", no matter what gender or number you use.

Thank you so much for you time here Lazarus. Of course when i typed 'es (transitive)' that was a typo, i meant 'intransitve' lol! I have read many of your articles on the site and you have been a massive help to me. It is really appreciated! - billygoat, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 2

Could somebody help me out on this please!

The more I read the more I am coming to the conclusion that the answer is

"es para mí"

I am trying to understand the 'nuts and bolts' of the spanish language. That way I believe one can start to construct meaninful and gramatically correct sentences - rather than just touristy phrases that many English people typcially learn.

After further reading my understanding of the sentence is:

el libro (subject) es (intransitive verb - 'it is' in this context) para (preposition) mí(preposition object)

therefore, 'it is for me' would be 'es para mí.

Please confirm my understand! Thankyou

Answer 3

"es para mí"

Way to go, billy

thank you Heidita. At times i do think i get a little too deep and confuse the hell out of myself lol, but i feel that if i can fully understand the fundamental rules i will have a much more detailed understanding of your language :) - billygoat, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 4

El libro es para mí

I think It should be shortened to lo es para mí

I hope that will help

Corregid mi español, por favor

I am not sure because looking at the dictionary, the verb 'ser' is not a transitive verb does not take a direct object. confusing lol! - billygoat, Apr 4, 2011

In my opinion, the job of ser is to confuse. ;-) - Leatha, Apr 4, 2011

i know! im trying to fully understand transitive and intransitive uses and object pronouns etc - every time i answer a question, my head raises 2 more lol. - billygoat, Apr 4, 2011