The verb to be

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Verbs

Practice with the exercises:

Exercise 1 Exercise 2

1. The verb to be in present

The verb to be is one of the most important verbs in English. It can be used
as a main verb and also as an auxiliary verb to form other verb tenses. It's
mainly used to describe characteristics or states.

TO BE (characteristic)

She is tall.
TO BE (state)
She is sad.
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2. Structure of the verb to be in the present tense

 Affirmative form

Affirmative sentences are those that say or state that something is

true.

SUBJECT TO BE EXAMPLES

am
I I'm in the kitchen.
'm

are
You You're very intelligent.
're

He is He's at work.
 SUBJECT TO BE EXAMPLES

She She's my wife.

's

It It's for kids.

We We're strong.

are
You You're students.
're

They They're on holiday.

In English, the contracted form ('m, 're, s) is used in informal contexts.

However, in formal contexts it is preferable to use the full form (am, is,
are).

 Negative form

Negative sentences are those that say or state that something is not
true. So, the particle not is added after the verb.

SUBJECT TO BE + NOT EXAMPLES

am not
I I'm not in the kitchen
'm not

are not
You 're not You're not very intellige
aren't

He is not He's not at work.

 SUBJECT TO BE + NOT EXAMPLES

She She's not my wife.

's not
isn't
It It's not for kids.

TO BE SUBJECT EXAMPLES

Am I...? Am I in the kitchen?

Are you...? Are you very intelligent?

he...? Is he at work?

Is she...? Is she my wife? are not

're not
aren't
it...? Is it for kids?

we...? Are we strong?

Are you...? Are you students?

they...? Are they on holiday?

We

You You're not students.

 SUBJECT TO BE + NOT EXAMPLES

They They're not on holiday.

 Interrogative form

Interrogative sentences or questions are those used to ask for

certain information.