Spanish
Grade 9
15 min
Está en... (It's in...)
Practice answering '¿Dónde está?' using prepositions.
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Correctly use 'está en' and other prepositions of place to describe the location of singular and plural nouns.
Formulate complex questions using '¿Dónde está/n...?' to inquire about the location of multiple objects.
Construct compound sentences describing locations, such as 'El libro está en la mochila, que está debajo de la silla'.
Differentiate between 'ser' and 'estar' for location, focusing on 'estar' for temporary or physical placement.
Apply the contractions 'al' (a + el) and 'del' (de + el) in location-based descriptions.
Use introductory subjunctive phrases like 'Espero que esté en...' to express uncertainty about an object's location.
¡No encuentro mis...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Estar (to be)A verb used to indicate temporary states and locations. For this lesson, it's our go-to verb for saying where something physically is.El teléfono está en la mesa. (The phone is on the table.)
Preposiciones de lugar (Prepositions of place)Words that specify the position of an object in relation to another. 'En' (in/on) is the most common, but we also use others like 'sobre' (on top of), 'debajo de' (under), 'dentro de' (inside of), 'al lado de' (next to).Las llaves están dentro del cajón. (The keys are inside the drawer.)
Concordancia (Agreement)The grammatical rule that nouns, articles, and verbs must match in number (singular/plural). If the noun is plural, the verb 'estar' must also be pl...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The Core Location Formula
[Objeto] + [forma conjugada de ESTAR] + [preposición] + [artículo] + [lugar].
This is the fundamental structure for stating an object's location. The form of 'estar' (está/están) must agree with the object (singular/plural), and the article (el/la/los/las) must agree with the place.
Rule of Contractions: 'al' and 'del'
a + el = al | de + el = del
When the prepositions 'a' or 'de' are followed by the masculine singular article 'el', they must combine. This is common with prepositions like 'al lado de' (next to) or when indicating direction.
Subjunctive for Uncertainty
[Frase de duda] + que + [sujeto] + [forma subjuntiva de ESTAR] + [resto de la frase].
When you start a...
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Challenging
Translate and synthesize the following idea into a single, grammatically correct Spanish sentence: 'I'm not sure that the cat is on the roof, which is next to the tall tree.'
A.No estoy seguro que el gato está en el techo, que está al lado del árbol alto.
B.No estoy seguro de que el gato esté en el techo, que está al lado del árbol alto.
C.No estoy seguro de que el gato está en el techo, que es al lado del árbol alto.
D.No estoy seguro que el gato esté en el techo, que es al lado del árbol alto.
Challenging
Imagine a complex scene: The keys are inside a box. The box is under a newspaper. The newspaper is on the small table. Which sentence accurately describes the location of the keys using two relative clauses?
A.Las llaves están dentro de la caja, que está sobre la mesa pequeña debajo del periódico.
B.Las llaves están en la mesa pequeña, que está debajo del periódico, que está dentro de la caja.
C.Las llaves están dentro de la caja, que está debajo del periódico, que está sobre la mesa pequeña.
D.Las llaves, que están sobre la mesa pequeña, están dentro de la caja que está debajo del periódico.
Challenging
Your friend says, 'Quizás mis guantes están en el coche.' How can you rephrase this using 'Es poco probable que...' while maintaining the meaning of uncertainty and correct grammar?
A.Es poco probable que tus guantes están en el coche.
B.Es poco probable que tus guantes son en el coche.
C.Es poco probable que tus guantes estén en el coche.
D.Es poco probable que tus guantes es en el coche.
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