Verb to be
Use am, is and are to say who people are, where they are and how they feel.
10 minBeginner
1The grammar
The verb 'to be' has three forms in the present: am, is and are. We use it to talk about names, jobs, places, age and feelings.
Use 'am' with I. Use 'is' with he, she and it, and with one person or thing. Use 'are' with you, we and they, and with two or more people or things.
For a negative, put 'not' after the verb: She is not here. For a question, put the verb before the subject: Are you ready?
In speaking, we often use short forms: I'm, you're, she's, we're, isn't, aren't. With I, the negative short form is 'I'm not'.
2Structure and formation
Positive
Subject + am / is / are + ...
I am a nurse.
Negative
Subject + am / is / are + not + ...
He is not at work.
Question
Am / Is / Are + subject + ...?
Are they from Spain?
Short answers
Yes, subject + am / is / are. No, subject + 'm not / isn't / aren't.
Yes, I am. No, she isn't.
3Examples
I am an accountant.
A job: 'am' goes with I.
She's from Brazil.
A home country: she's = she is.
We are at the airport.
A place: 'are' goes with we.
The office is not open today.
One thing, negative: is not.
Are you tired?
A question: the verb comes first.
My parents are 70 years old.
Age: English uses 'be', not 'have'.
4Common mistakes
I have 30 years.
I am 30 years old.
For age, English uses 'be', not 'have'.
He no is at home.
He is not at home.
Use 'not' after the verb. Do not use 'no'.
You is late.
You are late.
'You' always takes 'are'.
Is late the train?
Is the train late?
In a question, the subject comes right after the verb.
Yes, I'm.
Yes, I am.
Do not use a short form at the end of a positive short answer.
5Practical usage
Meeting new people
At work or at a party, say your name and your job: Hi, I'm Laura. I'm the new designer.
Saying where you are
On the phone, people often ask 'Where are you?'. You can answer: I'm on the train. We're at the hotel.
Now practise it
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