View Single Post
  #60  
Old January 21, 2012, 09:37 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by Becky View Post
1. - ¿Recuerdas que esta noche vamos al concierto?
- Ay sí, ¿dónde ES? (Correct. An event takes place. This requires the use of 'ser'. An exam takes place. Again, 'ser' is used.)
- En el auditorio. Creo que va a SER/ESTAR muy bueno? (Creo que va a ser muy bueno? Creo que va a estar muy bueno? )
2. When he was young he was crazy. Era loco Estuvo/estaba loco ?
Crazy and insane are two different things. The first takes 'estar' and the latter takes 'ser'. The imperfect is used to describe a characteristic in the past, so 'era loco' is the correct usage to describe an insane person. If the person was crazy, both 'estaba loco' or 'estuvo loco' can be used. The preterite tense form rules out that the person is currently crazy - the craziness had a start and an end in the past. The imperfect tense form allows for continuance of the craziness - it was ongoing in the past and may still be an issue.
'Ser bueno' is used to describe something characteristically. 'Estar bueno' is used to describe an unexpected characteristic or a change in character. (It's also used in a suggestive way to mean that someone is 'hot' (attractive).)

Last edited by Rusty; January 21, 2012 at 09:48 PM.
Reply With Quote