Spanish grammar lesson and the verbs ser and estar

The Uses of Ser and Estar If you want to know how to speak Spanish it is important that you understand this topicof Spanish grammar. Although the verbs ser and estar are equivalent to the verb to be in English, the meanings and uses for ser and estar vary greatly in Spanish. In an effort to clarify the appropriate uses for these two verbs, this lesson explains the uses for each verb, and how they differ. Ser (to be) Before we explain the different uses for ser, let's review the conjugations for ser in the present and imperfect tenses. Present Tense: Yo soy (I am) nosotros somos (we are) tъ eres (you are) ellos son (they are) йl es (he is) ellas son (they are) ella es (she is) ustedes son (they are) usted es (you are) Imperfect Tense: Yo era (I used to be, was) nosotros йramos (we used to be, were) tъ eras (you used to be, were) ellos eran (they used to be, were) йl era (he was) ellas eran (they used to be, were) ella era (she used to be, were) ustedes eran (you used to be, were) usted era (you used to be, were) Uses for Ser: The most important factor that should be understood about ser is that it embodies the aspect of the verb to be that it is definite, permanent, unchangeable, or inherent. Because of this, in Spanish ser is used to describe persons, professions, personality aspects, time, and nationalities. Each particular use for ser is explained below: a. To express a person, place, or thing's physical trait, personality, nationality, profession, or inherent condition. Physical traits of people and objects: Jorge es alto. (Jorge is tall.) Doris era flaca. (Doris was skinny.) La madre de Juan es bonita. (Juanita's mother is pretty.) La catedral es grande y vieja. (The cathedral is big and old.) Lima es una ciudad Peruana. (Lima is a Peruvian city.) La manzana es roja. (The apple is red.) Don Julio ya no es joven. Es anciano. (Mr. Julio is no longer young. He is a senior citizen.) Nationality/Citizenship: Yo soy Colombiana. (I am Colombian.) Tomasina era Dominicana. (Tomasina was Dominican/was a Dominican citizen.) Йl es hispano. (He is latino.) Personality traits: Juan y Carla son inteligentes. (Juan and Carla are intelligent.) Los muchachos eran tнmidos. (The boys were timid.) Mariana era humilde. (Mariana was humble.) Tъ eres honesta. (You are honest.) Professions: Tulia es una doctora famosa. (Tulia is a famous doctor.) Mi abuelo era alcalde. (My grandfather was mayor.) Ellos son profesores. (They are professors.) Somos choferes. (We are drivers.) Йramos choferes, pero ahora somos gerentes. (We were drivers, but now we are managers.) b. Ser is also used to express possession or the origin of an item. With this particular use, the verb ser is usually followed by de (of). For example: Este reloj es de Inglaterra. (This watch is from England.) El cuaderno es de Raquel. (The notebook is Raquel's.) La computadora de Roberto es de Alemania. (Roberto's computer is from Germany.) c. Ser is always used to express the time. For example: їQuй hora es? (What time is it?) Son las siete y cuarto. (It is seven fifteen.) d. Ser is also used for common impersonal expressions in Spanish related to time. For example: Es tarde. (It is late.) Es temprano. (It is early.) Es de noche. (It is night.) Estar (to be) In Spanish, the verb estar is used to express what is more temporary, and changeable compared to ser. Let's review the conjugations for estar in the present and imperfect tenses: Present Tense: Yo estoy (I am) nosotros estбmos (we are) tъ estбs (you are) ellos estбn (they are) йl estб (he is) ellas estбn (they are) ella estб (she is) ustedes estбn (they are) usted estб (you are) Imperfect Tense: Yo estaba (I used to be, was) nosotros estбbamos (we used to be, were) tъ estabas (you used to be, were) ellos estaban (they used to be, were) йl estaba (he was) ellas estaban (they used to be, were) ella estaba (she used to be, were) ustedes estaban (you used to be, were) usted estaba (you used to be, were) Uses for Estar: Compared to the permanence expressed in ser, estar is used to express situations, aspects, and traits that may change at any time. Each particular use for estar is explained below: a. To express feelings or emotions for a particular moment. Juan Carlos estб feliz hoy. (Juan Carlos is happy today.) Yo estoy satisfecha con mi trabajo. (I am satisfied with my job.) Marta estaba triste cuando hablй con ella. (Marta was sad when I spoke with her.) *It should be noted that in the above examples, the use of estar stresses the temporal nature of the emotions described. However, if one wants to describe a person's nature as being happy, or sad, the verb ser is then used; because it reflects a more permanent personality trait. For example, the above example could change from: Juan Carlos estб feliz hoy. (Juan Carlos is happy today.) to: Juan Carlos es una persona feliz. (Juan Carlos is a happy person.) b. To express a temporary or accidental aspect of a person, place, or thing that can change. This includes one's state of health. El cafй estб frio. (The coffee is cold.) Marcos estб en el parque. (Marcos is in the park.) Mi cuaderno estб en la escuela. (My notebook is at school.) Milagros estб enferma. (Milagros is sick.) їCуmo estб usted? (How are you?) c. To express location. їDуnde estб el museo? (Where is the museum?) El museo estб en la Calle Federal. (The museum is on Federal Street.) їDуnde estб el banco? (Where is the bank?) El banco estб lejos de aquн. (The bank is far from here.) Now that we have examined the different uses for ser and estar, let's try a few exercises. Translate the following into Spanish. The answers follow the exercise. 1. Pablo is intelligent. 2. The water is hot. 3. Where are the children? 4. We were good students. 5. It is twelve noon. 6. We are very happy today. 7. They are Mexican. 8. They are in Mexico. 9. She is in the hospital. 10. The hospital is in San Diego. 1. Pablo es inteligente. 2. El agua estб caliente. 3. їDуnde estбn los niсos? 4. Йramos estudiantes buenos. 5. Son las doce del medio dнa. 6. Estamos contentos hoy. 7. Ellos son Mexicanos. 8. Ellos estбn en Mйxico. 9. Ella estб en el hospital. 10. El hospital estб en San Diego.

The fine points of writing a critical essay

The last thing many majors want to do is write, much less write critical essays on some political or social concept or controversy he or she could give a rat’s a** for. But the requirements for a number of classes include the writing of critical essays, so rather than fight it, go with the most manageable process for accomplishing the assigned task. That is, keep in mind a few essential steps and elements, and you should be able to fly. First, the basics of writing critical essays are the same for writers of most modes. Here are the modes that you might directly or indirectly be asked to write in—might be assigned the steps for or told to write an X essay using: ANALYTIC-A classic style used in art, science, history, psychology, education, and most other disciplines across the curriculum to explore and investigate an idea, process, person, action, or attitude. ARGUMENTATIVE-Used in more advanced English classes, in philosophy, and in courses which include theory. COMPARATIVE/CONTRASTIVE-Used in most courses where specific analysis of like and unlike elements, characters, and ideas lend themselves to comparison. DEFINITIONAL-Written when we apply a more thorough study to a topic, especially an abstract one. DESCRIPTIVE-Used to more intensively, more concretely cover an idea, item, or subject. EVALUATIVE-Often confused with analytical, the evaluative essay moves beyond the what and how to the how much...we put a value on the topic here. EXPLANATORY-Also called the expository essay (though I tend to see all essays as expository, as exposing a truth about something). With this type we further our own and our readers' understanding of the subject. PERSONAL-Also called the response essay, the personal style essay is still well written (readable for an audience other than the writer), but is more informal--containing narrative details that entertain. RESEARCH-While most essay types will include references or will quote authorities, the research essay is mostly informational, using the findings--the stats and facts--we made investigating the findings of others. Now critical essays may fit better in or work better as one of the above modes, but all essays at the college level are really “critical” in nature. That is, if you look up critical in the dictionary or online, you will find that it does not necessarily mean negative or picky or bashing, but just means, from the Greek word, kritikus, “to discern”. So what do you discern in critical essays? A given topic or issue (which is a controversial topic with sides), which you incorporate into a thesis and supporting ideas and details. Here is what you should have in a critical essay: An engaging opener - hook, lure, interest your reader. Use a story, a fact, an extended definition, a quote, or a direct address…where appropriate. That is, use whatever fits best with the whole essay and whichever kind of into you are best at writing. A thesis - here you state, or assert, your position. This is the overall opinion that adds up all your points…which follow the thesis as support. Support - here you include statistics, narrative/non-fiction examples, statistics, authoritative (and respectable) quotes, analogies (relevant and apt), and other elements that help to “prove” your position. In the case of critical essays based on literature or other works of art, this will also include what is called textual evidence (passages from the work as you describe or directly or indirectly quote/cite them). In an argumentative paper, this section will also likely include the opponent’s side, concessions, and refutations. Good closure – whereas in some critical essays the closer is the thesis, in many assignments you are taught to leave the thesis at the front of the essay and wrap up your writing in the conclusion. Don’t bring in new examples, but do leave the readers questioning their positions, challenged with ways to take action, or reminded of what your goal was to begin with. The components of the critical essay, then, as they are in most modes and college coursework, are those that you would use later on, too, in your job or online, even!

Writing a great resume

If you are looking for a job, then it is very important that you understand how to offer yourself in the best way to an employer. This is done by writing a 'CV' (curriculum vitae - Latin for 'life story'), called in some countries a 'resume'. Different countries may have different requirements and styles for CV resumes. So you must follow the correct practice for your culture and country. What IS a resume? A Resume is a self-promotional document that presents you in the best possible light, for the purpose of getting invited to a job interview. It's not an official personnel document. It's not a job application. It's not a career obituary! And it's not a confessional. What Contents within the Resume? It's not just about past jobs! It's about YOU, and how you performed and what you accomplished in those past jobs--especially those accomplishments that are most relevant to the work you want to do next. A good resume predicts how you might perform in that desired future job. What is the fastest way to improve a resume? Remove everything that starts with responsibilities included and replace it with on-the-job accomplishments. Most common resume mistake made by job hunters! Leaving out their Job Objective! If you don't show a sense of direction, employers won't be interested. Having a clearly stated goal doesn't have to confine you if it's stated well. What's the first step in writing a resume? Decide on a job target (or job objective) that can be stated in about 5 or 6 words. Anything beyond that is probably fluff and indicates a lack of clarity and direction. Chronological resume or a Functional one? The Chronological format is widely preferred by employers, and works well if you're staying in the same field (especially if you've been upwardly-mobile). Only use a Functional format if you're changing fields, and you're sure a skills-oriented format would show off your transferable skills to better advantage; and be sure to include a clear chronological work history! What if you don't have any experience in the kind of work you want to do? Get some! Find a place that will let you do some volunteer work right away. You only need a brief, concentrated period of volunteer training (for example, 1 day a week for a month) to have at least SOME experience to put on your resume. Also, look at some of the volunteer work you've done in the past and see if any of that helps document some skills you'll need for your new job.