A1 · Verb to be — Lesson

What is to be?

Use to be to describe who you are, where you are, or how you feel.

Identity

I am a teacher. She is a student.

Place

We are at school. He is in London.

Feeling

I am happy. They are tired.

Age

She is 25 years old.

Note: In English, you can never drop the verb. You cannot say "I happy." — you must say "I am happy."

Full conjugation

Three forms only: am · is · are

I

am → I'm

You

are → You're

He / She / It

is → He's · She's · It's

We / They

are → We're · They're

I'm a student.

I am → I'm

She's from Spain.

She is → She's

They're ready.

They are → They're

Negatives

Add not after the verb, or use a contraction

I

am not / I'm not (no short form for "am not")

He / She / It

is not / isn't

You / We / They

are not / aren't

✓ Correct

I'm not tired.

She isn't late.

They aren't here.

✗ Wrong

I amn't tired.

→ "amn't" does not exist

She not is late.

→ verb must come first

Questions

Move the verb before the subject

Statement: She is French. → Question: Is she French? ✓

Statement: They are ready. → Question: Are they ready? ✓

Am I?

Am I late? — Are you sure?

Is he/she/it?

Is she a doctor? — Is it far?

Are you/we/they?

Are you from Spain? — Are they ready?

Short answers

Always repeat the verb — never use a contraction in "Yes" answers

Are you tired?

Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.

Is she French?

Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.

Are they ready?

Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.

Important: "Yes, I'm." is wrong. In positive short answers you must use the full form: "Yes, I am." "Yes, she is." "Yes, they are."

Common mistakes

Things learners often get wrong

I is a student.

→

I am a student.

Use am with I — never is.

She are happy.

→

She is happy.

He / She / It always takes is.

They is my friends.

→

They are my friends.

Plural subjects take are.

Yes, I'm.

→

Yes, I am.

Positive short answers use full form.

She not is late.

→

She isn't late.

Verb comes first, then not.

Recap

Affirmative

am · is · are

I am · She is · They are

Contraction

'm · 's · 're

I'm · She's · They're

Negative

'm not · isn't · aren't

I'm not · She isn't · They aren't

Question

Am I? · Is she? · Are they?

Verb goes first

Short answer

Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.

Full form in positive

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