What is the verb “to be”?
The verb “to be” means “to exist” or “to describe” people, things, places, or situations. In the simple present tense, it has three forms:
| Subject | Verb “To Be” |
|---|---|
| I | am |
| You | are |
| He/She/It | is |
| We | are |
| You (plural) | are |
| They | are |
Examples in Sentences
- I am happy. 😊
- You are my friend.
- He is a teacher.
- She is kind.
- It is cold today.
- We are ready.
- They are at school.
❌ Negative Form
To make a negative sentence, just add “not” after the verb:
| Subject | Verb “To Be” + Not |
|---|---|
| I | am not |
| You | are not (aren’t) |
| He/She/It | is not (isn’t) |
| We | are not (aren’t) |
| They | are not (aren’t) |
Examples:
- I am not tired.
- He isn’t here.
- They aren’t students.
❓ Question Form
To ask a question, just switch the position of the verb and the subject:
| Verb “To Be” | Subject |
|---|---|
| Am | I…? |
| Are | you/we/they…? |
| Is | he/she/it ….? |
Examples:
- Are you okay?
- Is she at home?
- Am I late?
Practice exercises: exercise 1 exercise 2 exercise 3
Final Tip:
The verb “to be” is one of the most common verbs in English. Mastering it is the first step to speaking confidently!
