PERSONAL PRONOUNS AND THE VERB TO BE

 Personal Pronouns are used to replace the SUBJECT of sentences.

 The verb TO BE indicates state, position, characteristics. It is used to give information about the subject of a sentence.

Affirmative and Negative Sentences

SUBJECT VERB COMPLEMENT CONTRACTIONS

I am / am not Nationalities  I’m / I’m not
You are / aren’t From + country  You’re / You’re not
He is / isn’t Adjectives  He’s / He’s not
She is / isn’t Professions  She’s / She’s not
It is / isn’t Colors  It’s / It’s not
We are / aren’t Preposition + places  We’re / We’re not
You are / aren’t Names / Objects / Nouns  You’re / You’re not
They are / aren’t _________ (years old) (Age)  They’re / They’re not

E.g.: Juan and I are happy.  We’re happy.

Sara is an architect.  She’s an architect.

Tulcán is in the north of Ecuador.  It’s in the north of Ecuador.

My father isn’t at work now.  He isn’t at work now. / He’s not at work now.

Brazil and Canada are big countries.  They’re big countries.

My name is Alex.  It’s Alex. (“Name” is an object in singular, not a person.)

My family is / are from Ecuador.  We’re from Ecuador. (“Family” is one group – singular.)
(Personal pronoun in plural for people in the group.)

Yes / No Questions

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
TO BE (AUX) SUBJECT COMPLEMENT SHORT ANSWERS SHORT ANSWERS
(NEVER use contractions) (OBLIGATORY to use contractions)

AM I Nationalities Yes, you are. No, you aren’t. / you’re not.

ARE you From + country Yes, I am. No, I’m not.
IS he Adjectives Yes, he is. No, he isn’t. / he’s not.
IS she Professions Yes, she is. No, she isn’t. / she’s not.
? No, it isn’t. / it’s not.
IS it Colors Yes, it is.
ARE we Preposition + places Yes, we / you are. No, we / you aren’t.
ARE you Names / Objects Yes, we are. No, we aren’t. / we’re not.
ARE they _________ old Yes, they are. No, they aren’t. / they’re not.
E.g.: Is Pelé from Portugal?
 No, he isn’t. He’s from Brazil.

Are you at home now?

 Yes, I’m.  Wrong. NEVER use a contraction in affirmative short answers.
 Yes, I am.  Correct.
 Yes, I’m at home now.

Is Brad Pitt a singer?

 No, he’s not. He’s an actor.

Are your pants black?

 Yes, they are.
 Yes, they’re black.

Is your mother from Quito?

 No, she’s not. She’s from Ambato.

Is Bruno Mars Colombian?

 No, he isn’t. He’s American.

Is your house beautiful?

 Yes, it is.
 Yes, it is my house beautiful.  Wrong. Subject + verb + subject + complement.
 Yes, it’s beautiful.

Are you a teacher?

 No, I’m not. I’m a student.

Is your bedroom pink?

 No, it isn’t. Is green.  Wrong. Subjects are OBLIGATORY in English.
 No, it isn’t. It’s green.  Correct.