In this chapter
The verb be is the most common verb in English. You use it to say your name, your age, your job and where you are from. You use it to say how you feel and to describe people and places.
In the present, be has three forms — am , is and are — and each one goes with different subject pronouns. In this chapter you will learn the positive form, the negative with not, questions, and the short answers that people use every day.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can use am, is and are with the right subject.
- I can use be to talk about my name, age, job, nationality and feelings.
- I can make negative sentences with not.
- I can ask questions with be and give short answers.
Am, is and are
Use am with I. Use is with he, she and it. Use are with you, we and they. In speaking we usually use the short forms.
The pattern
Subject + am / is / are + complement
The complement can be a noun (a student), an adjective (tired) or a place (at home).
| Full form | Short form |
|---|---|
| I am | I'm |
| you are | you're |
| he is | he's |
| she is | she's |
| it is | it's |
| we are | we're |
| they are | they're |
-
I ( subject ) am ( verb ) tired. ( complement )
am goes with I.
-
He ( subject ) is ( verb ) at home. ( place )
is goes with he, she and it.
-
We ( subject ) are ( verb ) friends. ( complement )
are goes with you, we and they.
-
They're from Italy.
they're = they are.
Quick checkShe ___ a doctor.
What we use be for
Use be to give basic information about people and things: names, age, jobs, nationality, feelings, descriptions and places.
| We talk about… | Example |
|---|---|
| a name | My name is Leo. |
| age | I am 25 years old. |
| a job | She is a teacher. |
| nationality | We are Brazilian. |
| a feeling | They are happy. |
| a description | The house is old. |
| a place | The keys are in my bag. |
-
I ( subject ) am ( verb ) 25 years old. ( complement )
Age uses be.
-
The keys ( subject ) are ( verb ) in my bag. ( place )
A place: where the keys are.
-
We ( subject ) are ( verb ) Brazilian. ( complement )
Nationality — with a capital letter.
Quick checkPut the words in order.
Negatives with not
To make be negative, put not after am , is or are . In speaking, the short forms are very common.
The pattern
Subject + am / is / are + not + complement
| Full form | Short forms |
|---|---|
| I am not | I'm not |
| you are not | you aren't / you're not |
| he / she / it is not | he isn't / he's not |
| we are not | we aren't / we're not |
| they are not | they aren't / they're not |
-
I ( subject ) am ( verb ) not ( not ) ready. ( complement )
-
They ( subject ) are ( verb ) not ( not ) from Spain. ( place )
-
She isn't at work today.
isn't = is not.
-
We aren't hungry.
aren't = are not.
Quick checkI ___ not hungry.
Questions and short answers
In a question, be moves before the subject. Question words such as where or how go at the very start.
The pattern
(Question word) + Am / Is / Are + subject + …?
-
Are ( verb ) you ( subject ) ready? ( complement )
be comes first, then the subject.
-
Is ( verb ) he ( subject ) a teacher? ( complement )
-
Where ( question word ) is ( verb ) the station? ( subject )
The question word goes first.
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Are you a student? | Yes, I am. | No, I'm not. |
| Is she from Italy? | Yes, she is. | No, she isn't. |
| Are they at home? | Yes, they are. | No, they aren't. |
Quick checkPut the words in order to make a question.
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
-
Incorrect: I no am ready.
Correct: I am not ready.
Make the negative with not after be.
-
Incorrect: She are happy.
Correct: She is happy.
Use is with he, she and it.
-
Incorrect: I have 20 years.
Correct: I am 20 years old.
Use be for age, not have.
-
Incorrect: Yes, I'm.
Correct: Yes, I am.
Short answers with yes use the full form.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
At the hotel
Paulo arrives at a hotel in London and talks to the receptionist.
- Receptionist
Good evening. Are you Mr Silva?
- Paulo
Yes, I am. I'm here for three nights.
A short answer: Yes, I am — not Yes, I'm.
- Receptionist
Welcome. Is this your first time in London?
- Paulo
No, it isn't. I'm here for work again.
isn't = is not.
- Receptionist
Your room is on the fifth floor. It's number 512.
- Paulo
Great. Is breakfast included?
- Receptionist
Yes, it is. Breakfast is from seven to ten.
- Paulo
And where is the lift?
Question word + is + subject.
- Receptionist
It's over there, next to the stairs. Are you OK with your bags?
- Paulo
Yes, thanks. They aren't very heavy.
aren't = are not.
What to remember
- 1 Present be has three forms: am with I, is with he, she and it, and are with you, we and they.
- 2 In speaking, use short forms: I'm, you're, he's, it's, we're, they're.
- 3 Use be for names, age, jobs, nationality, feelings, descriptions and places: I am 25.
- 4 Make it negative with not: I'm not ready. She isn't here.
- 5 In questions, be comes first: Are you ready? Short answers: Yes, I am. No, I'm not.
| Subject | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I am / I'm | I'm not | Am I…? |
| he / she / it | is / 's | isn't | Is he…? |
| you / we / they | are / 're | aren't | Are you…? |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
24 questions on The Verb "to be"
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 20 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.