Verb: “to be” – (am/ is/ are)

In our lesson, we will talk about the ‘to be’ structure.

Let’s dive into the verb “to be,” which is one of the most important verbs in English. It’s used to describe a state of being or existence and is essential for forming sentences.

The verb “to be” has different forms depending on the subject of the sentence. The three main forms you’ll use in the present tense are “am,” “is,” and “are.”

Example Sentences:

  • I am a student.
  • She is happy.
  • They are friends.

The Three Main Forms of ‘To Be’

  1. Am: This form is used only with the pronoun “I.”
    • Example: I am a student.
    • Here, “am” connects the subject “I” with the information “a student.”
  2. Is: This form is used with singular third-person subjects, which include “he,” “she,” “it,” or any singular noun.
    • Example: She is happy.
    • In this sentence, “is” links “she” with the adjective “happy.”
  3. Are: This form is used with “you,” “we,” “they,” and plural nouns.
    • Example: They are friends.
    • Here, “are” connects “they” with “friends.”

Questions and Negative Sentences

  • Questions: To ask a question, you switch the order of the subject and the verb.
    • Example: Are you ready?
    • Here, “are” comes before “you” to form a question.
  • Negatives: To make a sentence negative, add “not” after the verb.
    • Example: He is not tired.
    • In this sentence, “not” follows “is” to show the negative form.

Subject PronounForm of “To Be”Example Sentence
IamI am a student.
YouareYou are my friend.
He / She / ItisHe is a teacher.
WeareWe are excited.
TheyareThey are playing soccer.
Here is the table summarizing ‘to be’ in English grammar.

“to be” is a versatile verb that helps describe who or what someone or something is, how they feel, or where they are.

Summary

The verb “to be” is a fundamental verb in English used to describe states of being or existence. In the present tense, it has three main forms: “am,” “is,” and “are.” “Am” is used with “I,” “is” is used with singular third-person subjects like “he,” “she,” and “it,” and “are” is used with “you,” “we,” “they,” and plural nouns. This verb is essential for forming basic sentences, questions, and negatives, such as “I am happy,” “Is she coming?” and “They are not here.”

Grammar Exercises

Practice online and check your results with answers.

Practice Exercise


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