Answers
Feb 21, 2011 - 05:06 PM
Maybe Sonia can shed more light on this, but I think either one is technically correct. I do believe it is more common to hear estar used with location, but if it's something like the location of a building (as opposed to the location of a person, which is likely to change), I think either one is ok.
Feb 21, 2011 - 07:21 PM
Chris...."the uses of Estar and Ser to describe location"......small point but ser and estar are verbs, action words. They don't describe locations but I get what you mean. Although looking at the use of ser and ester thru temporary vs permanent provides a helpful guideline, try not to let this be your only guideline. Context is paramount to which is used. The choice of ser vs estar can often change the meaning of a sentence. You'll learn more about this as you continue with Fluenz.
Now to your specific question about location. When you say....I am in Mikwaukee.....He is at the library....They are at the bank.....The car is in the garage, you are referring to a specific location. Using either ser or estar will not change the meaning of the sentence so using either is acceptable. In general, estar is what you will see in written or conversational Spanish when the location is specific. When the location is not specific, you will see ser used. The bank is close by...It is not close to here.....My house is down the street. But, again, using estar will not change the meaning of what you are communicating so either can be used.
There are specific instances when ser must be used for location. If "to be" means "to be held" you must use ser. For example: La fiesta es celebra en su casa....The party is at his place. Why? I can't explain it! Sonia?
Hope this helps more than confuses. The more exposure you have to everyday written and conversational Spanish, the more natural it will become on which to use. I hardly ever think about permanent vs temporary when choosing which one to use anymore. I now focus on what I'm trying to say. Sometimes it's correct and sometimes it's not but just jump in and give it a try.
Now to your specific question about location. When you say....I am in Mikwaukee.....He is at the library....They are at the bank.....The car is in the garage, you are referring to a specific location. Using either ser or estar will not change the meaning of the sentence so using either is acceptable. In general, estar is what you will see in written or conversational Spanish when the location is specific. When the location is not specific, you will see ser used. The bank is close by...It is not close to here.....My house is down the street. But, again, using estar will not change the meaning of what you are communicating so either can be used.
There are specific instances when ser must be used for location. If "to be" means "to be held" you must use ser. For example: La fiesta es celebra en su casa....The party is at his place. Why? I can't explain it! Sonia?
Hope this helps more than confuses. The more exposure you have to everyday written and conversational Spanish, the more natural it will become on which to use. I hardly ever think about permanent vs temporary when choosing which one to use anymore. I now focus on what I'm trying to say. Sometimes it's correct and sometimes it's not but just jump in and give it a try.
Mar 01, 2011 - 12:48 PM
Cheryl, you are getting so good at these explanationss!!!
Let's user your party example. You made a little mistake..It should be La fiesta SE celebra en su casa--- I won't get into that one!! It's passive voice and that is just a whole world in itself (that party is celebrated at his house).
But imagine you had -- The party IS at her house.
Hear you have to use SER. Why? Because fiesta is not a thing that you put in or out of a house- Like Cheryl said, the party "is held" at the house.
But if I were to say, the computer is at her house. It's a thing that you can physically put in an out of the house, so use estar. La computadora está en su casa.
Or Laura está en su casa (I know she is not a thing but it is finite).
Using "to be held" as a reference in English is a great way to determine when to use estar.
Let's user your party example. You made a little mistake..It should be La fiesta SE celebra en su casa--- I won't get into that one!! It's passive voice and that is just a whole world in itself (that party is celebrated at his house).
But imagine you had -- The party IS at her house.
Hear you have to use SER. Why? Because fiesta is not a thing that you put in or out of a house- Like Cheryl said, the party "is held" at the house.
But if I were to say, the computer is at her house. It's a thing that you can physically put in an out of the house, so use estar. La computadora está en su casa.
Or Laura está en su casa (I know she is not a thing but it is finite).
Using "to be held" as a reference in English is a great way to determine when to use estar.
Mar 01, 2011 - 08:09 PM
Muchas gracias, Sonia. Ah, Spanish voices......haven't gotten there yet. I always feel I should put a disclaimer on some of my answers but I know I have a safety net:). I'm hoping that others will jump in and we can get some discussions going where we all can learn.
The rules of Spanish, or any language, are often open to interpretation given the widespread usage of Spanish. It is often impossible to definitively say what constitutes "correct" or "normal" Spanish.
The rules of Spanish, or any language, are often open to interpretation given the widespread usage of Spanish. It is often impossible to definitively say what constitutes "correct" or "normal" Spanish.
Mar 02, 2011 - 07:55 AM
Thanks! This makes a lot more sense now! I'm really trying hard not to get hung up on grammatical details but at the same time I don't want to get into bad habits and do want to correctly understand the grammar!