Ser is an irregular verb in El Presente de Subjuntivo, therefore it does not follow the same rule as other -er verbs. This table shows how to conjugate ser in El Presente de Subjuntivo:
| yo | sea |
| tú | seas |
| él / ella / Ud. | sea |
| nosotros | seamos |
| vosotros | seáis |
| ellos / ellas / Uds. | sean |
Have a look at some examples:
No creo que eso sea muy sensato.
I don't think that is very sensible.
Puede que nosotros seamos los únicos en el restaurante.
We may be the only ones in the restaurant.
Yo no creo que yo sea muy egoista.
I don't think I am very selfish.
Es probable que seáis capaces.
It is probable that you are able.
See also:
- Conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo (present subjunctive)
- Conjugate regular -ar verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo (present subjunctive)
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Puede que nosotros seamos los únicos en el restaurante.
We may be the only ones in the restaurant.
No pienso que sean justos.
I don't believe they are fair.
Es probable que seáis capaces.
It is probable that you are able.
No creo que eso sea muy sensato.
I don't think that is very sensible.
Yo no creo que yo sea muy egoista.
I don't think I am very selfish.
nick
Kwiziq community member
16 January 2019
3 replies
Hi - why is Ser used for "We may be the only ones in the restaurant?". I would have thought Estar - estamos en el restaurante?
Gruff
Kwiziq language super star
16 January 2019
16/01/19
Good question!
Consider these shorter phrases:
We are the only ones (ser)
vs
We are in the restaurant (estar)
The verb is expressing "being" about "being the only people" which is independent of what follows (which happens to be a location). You could write the sentence in a longer form, We are the only people [who are] in the restaurant to see there are two 'being' verbs implied, in fact.
It might be tempting to still think estar is the right verb choice, since 'being the only ones' is temporary state, but, in fact, 'only' is a modifier and as such a red-herring too! Really, that sentence boils down to talking about people: We are the [optional modifer] people...
I think this is the closest rule:
https://spanish.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/use-ser-not-estar-to-introduce-people
I'll double check with one of our Spanish native linguists to be sure though.
Inma
Kwiziq language super star
16 January 2019
16/01/19
Hi Nick
Gruff's explanation is spot on. This "ser" is identifying, not talking about the position/location. Other practical examples where we use ser in this same way to identify are for example when someone knocks on the door and before you open it you ask: "¿Quién es?" (Who is it?), and the other person answers "Soy yo, Luis" (It's me, Luis). Or when you are playing a game and you win and then say "¡Yo soy el ganador!" (I am the winner!). All these are using ser to identify.
Saludos,
Inma
nick
Kwiziq community member
16 January 2019
16/01/19
Many thanks for the quick and well explained reply!