The verb “to be”
Use am, is and are in positive, negative and question forms, with short forms.
In this lesson you will
- Use am / is / are with each pronoun
- Make negatives with not and short forms
- Ask and answer yes/no questions with be
Learn
Be is the most important verb in English. In the present it has three forms: I am, you/we/they are, he/she/it is.
In speaking and informal writing we use short forms (contractions): I’m, you’re, he’s, she’s, it’s, we’re, they’re.
Negative: add not — I’m not, you aren’t (you’re not), he isn’t (he’s not), they aren’t. Note: we don’t say “I amn’t”.
Questions: put the verb before the subject: Are you tired? Is she a doctor? Am I late? Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t. (In positive short answers, don’t use contractions: Yes, I am — not Yes, I’m.)
We use be for names, age, jobs, nationality, feelings, descriptions and places: I’m 30. She’s a nurse. We’re Brazilian. They’re hungry. It’s big. He’s at home.
| Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| I am (I’m) | I am not (I’m not) | Am I …? |
| you are (you’re) | you aren’t | Are you …? |
| he / she / it is (he’s…) | he isn’t | Is he …? |
| we / they are (we’re, they’re) | we aren’t | Are they …? |
Examples
- I’m a student.
- She isn’t at home. She’s at work.
- Are you from Kenya? — Yes, I am.
- Is it expensive? — No, it isn’t.
- We’re hungry. Are they ready?
Vocabulary
tired
needing rest or sleep
“I’m tired.”
hungry
wanting food
“Are you hungry?”
late
after the right time
“Sorry, I’m late.”
ready
prepared
“Are you ready?”
expensive
costing a lot of money
at home
in your house
“She’s at home.”
In real life
Meeting a colleague in the lift.
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Nora: Hi! Are you new here?
Pedro: Yes, I am. I’m Pedro. I’m in the IT team.
Nora: Nice to meet you. I’m Nora. Is your office on floor five?
Pedro: No, it isn’t. It’s on floor six.
Nora: Oh, this is my floor. See you!
Practice
She ___ a nurse.
Listening: Is this seat free?
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Woman: Excuse me, is this seat free?
Man: Yes, it is. Please sit down.
Woman: Thanks. Are you a student here?
Man: No, I’m not. I’m a teacher. And you?
Woman: I’m a student. I’m in the first year.
1.The seat is free.
2.What is the man’s job?
3.Is the woman a teacher?
Speaking
Answer aloud with short answers: Are you a student? Is your city big? Are you tired today? Is English difficult? Are your friends funny?
- Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
- Yes, it is. / No, it isn’t.
- Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
Writing
Write six sentences about you and your family with be: two positive, two negative and two questions.
Lesson quiz
It ___ cold today.
Review
Key points
- I am · you/we/they are · he/she/it is.
- Negative: I’m not, isn’t, aren’t.
- Questions: Am/Is/Are + subject …?
- Short answers: Yes, I am. No, I’m not. (no contraction in positive short answers)
What you learned
- ✓ I can use am, is and are.
- ✓ I can make negatives and questions with be.
- ✓ I can give short answers.
Grammar reference: The verb “to be” (am, is, are)