Verbs · Beginner (A1)
The verb “to be” (am, is, are)
Am, is and are: the most important verb in English — for names, ages, jobs, feelings and places.
The rules
Positive: I am* (I’m)* · he/she/it is* (’s)* · you/we/they are* (’re)*.
Negative: add not: I’m not, he isn’t, they aren’t. Questions: swap the order: Are you ready? Is she at home? Short answers: Yes, I am. No, it isn’t. (Don’t contract in positive short answers: Yes, I am — not Yes, I’m.)
Use be for name, age, nationality, job, feelings and location: I’m 30. She’s Brazilian. We’re hungry. They’re in Rome. In English you say be for age and feelings, not have: I am 20 (not I have 20), I’m cold.
| Positive | Negative | Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I’m | I’m not | Am I…? |
| he/she/it | she’s | she isn’t | Is she…? |
| you/we/they | we’re | we aren’t | Are we…? |
Examples
- I’m a student.
- My parents aren’t at home.
- Is it expensive? — No, it isn’t.
- We’re cold — close the window, please!
Common mistakes
✗ I have 25 years.
✓ I am 25 (years old).
Age uses be in English.
✗ She teacher.
✓ She is a teacher.
English sentences need a verb.
✗ Yes, I’m.
✓ Yes, I am.
No contraction at the end of a positive short answer.
Practice
They ___ from Peru.
Quiz
1.My sister ___ a nurse.
2.Complete the sentence.
3.Correct the mistake in this sentence.
4.“They’re” is the short form of “they are”.