# What ser is for

> id: grammar.verbs.ser-uses · category: grammar · depth: standard · levels: A1, A2 · review: internally_reviewed

**Summary.** Identity, origin, profession, material, time and dates, possession, and where events take place: soy de Quebec, la reunión es aquí.

Ser defines: identity (es mi socio), origin (somos canadienses), profession (es abogada), material (es de madera), possession (es de Juan), time (son las dos, hoy es lunes).

One trap: events use ser for location — la fiesta es en mi casa ('takes place'), while objects and people use estar (mi casa está en el centro).

A handy checklist for ser: identity, origin, profession, material, possession, time and dates, and the location of an event. The last one is the classic trap — an event 'takes place' with ser (el examen es en el aula 3) even though a thing or person sits with estar (el aula 3 está en el segundo piso).

## Examples
- El concierto es en el teatro municipal. — The concert is (takes place) at the municipal theater.
- Esta mesa es de roble. — This table is (made of) oak.
- La boda es en el jardín, que está detrás de la iglesia. — The wedding is in the garden, which is behind the church.

Related: grammar.verbs.ser-estar, grammar.verbs.estar-uses

License: CC BY-SA 4.0 — Spanish Rules Library — spanishruleslibrary.com