What is “to be”?
Be is the verb we use to say who or what someone is, how they feel, where they are and how old they are. In the present it has three forms: am, is and are. The form you choose depends on the subject (the person or thing you are talking about).
Isubject
ambe
a studentinformation
Shesubject
isbe
happyinformation
Theysubject
arebe
in the parkinformation
Which form do I use?
| Subject | Form | Short form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | I’m | I’m from Spain. |
| you | are | you’re | You’re late. |
| he / she / it | is | he’s / she’s / it’s | She’s a doctor. It’s cold. |
| we | are | we’re | We’re friends. |
| they | are | they’re | They’re at home. |
Negative and questions
Rule
Add not for no. Swap the order for a question.
- Negative: subject + be + not → He is not tired. (short: He isn’t tired. / I’m not.)
- Question: be + subject → Is he tired? / Are you ready? / Am I late?
- Short answers: Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t. (never “Yes, he’s” as a short answer).
Statement
- You are ready.
- She is at school.
- We are hungry.
Question
- Are you ready?
- Is she at school?
- Are we hungry?
Lots of examples
- My name is Sara.Giving your name.
- I am twenty-five years old.In English we use be for age, not have.
- He is a teacher, and his wife is a nurse.Jobs.
- The apples are on the table.Place.
- It is very hot today.Weather.
- We are not late. We are early!Negative.
- Is your brother at home?Yes/no question.
- Where are my keys?Question word + be.
- Are you from Brazil? — No, I’m from Portugal.Short answer.
- The children are tired because it is late.Plural subject: are.
- She is kind, funny and very clever.Describing a person.
- I’m hungry. Are you hungry too?Feelings.
Don’t say / Say
Don’t sayI have 20 years.
SayI am 20 years old.Why: Age uses be, not have.
Don’t sayShe are my sister.
SayShe is my sister.Why: She/he/it → is.
Don’t sayThey is happy.
SayThey are happy.Why: Plural subjects take are.
Don’t sayIs you ready?
SayAre you ready?Why: You always takes are.
Don’t sayI no am tired.
SayI am not tired.Why: Put not after be.