Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

English Grammar Class 1

Am, Is and Are

In today’s lesson, we will discuss the verbs, am, is, and are. These are the
simple present forms of the auxiliary verb, to be. They are used as descriptive
verbs that help us in understanding the state, condition, and feeling that
something or particularly a proper noun is in. Is, am, are connect the subject to
their actions are what is being described them. Practice questions and solved
examples are given throughout the article for better understanding and concept
clarity. Let’s begin the journey on this fantastic topic.

Image: Introduction to Grammar

Am, is, and are

• ‘Am’, ‘are’, and ‘is’ are supporting verbs in the simple present tense.
• They are also collectively referred to as be forms as they are the forms of
the verb, to be.
• They are used to describe a person or a thing in the present.

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

• They can be used to name/rename a person or a thing in the present.

• They can indicate what someone is doing at present.
• They are also used to talk about what is done in the present

Image: Am, is, are

Am Is Are

‘Am’ is used when talking ‘Is’ is used with ‘Are’ is used with the
in the first person. It third-person singular third person plural nouns
accompanies the singular nouns and pronouns. and pronouns.
first-person pronoun.

‘Am’ is used in the simple ‘Is’ is used in the ‘Are’ is used in the
present tense. simple present tense. present tense.

Example: Example: Example:

• I am playing.

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

• I am a doctor. • Ramu is • Children are

playing. playing.
• I am Sita.
• Shifa is • They are talking.
• I am polite.
talking.
• People are praying.
• I am fine.
• It is a robot.
• They are good.
• This is a cat.
• Cycles are good for
• He is a farmer. the environment.

Am

Image: Am
• Am is used with first person singular pronoun.
• It is used with the pronoun, I.
For example,
• I am the owner of this building.
• I am building a spaceship.
• I am speaking to him.

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

• I am an agriculturist.
• I am a hard-working student.

Is

Image: Is
• ‘Is’ is used with third-person singular nouns and pronouns.
• It is used with the pronouns he, she, and it.
• It is used with proper nouns like Mary, Abdul, Taj Mahal, and Museum.
For example,
• He is smart.
• The Taj Mahal is beautiful.
• She is talented.
• Sheela is singing.
• Sushil is playing.
• It is a non-living thing.

Are

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

Image: Are
• Are – is used with third-person plural nouns and pronouns.
• It is used with the pronoun, they.
• It is also used with plural nouns like Indians, people, and judges.
For example,
• They are working late.
• The Indians are fond of their culture.
• They are playing.
• People are celebrating.
• The animals are enjoying the rain.
• The birds are freely flying.

Forms of the verb:

These auxiliary verbs can be used in various forms as described below.

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

These are statements These are negative These are questions

usually proving a statements with the pointing to a person are a
description. inclusion of a negative group of people.
suffix.

Am. Am not. Am I?
Example: Example: Example:
• I am a singer. • I am not a singer. • Am I a singer?
• I am smart. • I am not smart. • Am I smart?
• I am dedicated. • I am not dedicated. • Am I dedicated?
• I am Maria. • I am not Maria. • Am I, Maria?

Is. Is not/ isn’t Is it/he/she?

Example: Example: Example:
• She is a • She isn’t a • Is she a cricketer?
cricketer. cricketer.
• Is he a dancer?
• He is a dancer • He isn’t a dancer.
• Is he running?
• He is running. • He isn’t running.
• Is she playing?
• She is playing. • She isn’t playing.
• Is it moving?
• It is moving. • It isn’t moving.

Are. Are not/aren’t Are you?

Example: Example: Example:
• They are • They aren’t • Are they
musicians. musicians. musicians?
• People are • People aren’t • Are people
applauding. applauding. applauding?

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

• Singers are • Singers aren’t • Are singers

singing. singing. singing?
• They are • They aren’t • Are they dancing?
dancing. dancing.
• Are the dogs
• The dogs are • The dogs aren’t barking?
barking. barking.

Difficult words with Meanings

Word Meaning

Auxiliary Additional

Affirmative Agreement

Interrogative Inquiring

Summary
The simple present forms of the verb "to be" are "is," "am," and "are." They are
employed to specify the nature of a thing or a person's state, emotion, or
condition. I ‘am’ the first person singular, ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘it’ is the third person
singular, and “we are” the first person plural, “you are” the second and third
person singular, and “they are” is the third person plural. The past tense is
expressed with the verbs “was” that is the past form of “is” and “were” the past
form of “are”.

Practice Questions
Fill in the blanks with the suitable supporting verbs(am/is/ are):
1. I ___ a boy.
2. His age ___ seventeen.
3. She ___ an old person.

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Class I English Grammar Am, Is and Are

4. You ___ happy.

5. They ___ students.
6. He ____ a blacksmith.

Answers
1. I am a boy.
2. His age is seventeen.
3. She is an old person.
4. You are happy.
5. They are students.
6. He is a blacksmith.

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