Simple Present Tense: Be
What is the BE verb?
The BE verb has three forms in the simple present:
am, is, and are.
We use BE to talk about states, descriptions, and locations.
Positive Forms
I am
- I am a student.
- I am happy.
- I am from Turkey.
- I am at home.
He/She/It is
- He is a teacher.
- She is beautiful.
- It is a book.
- John is tall.
You/We/They are
- You are smart.
- We are friends.
- They are students.
- My parents are kind.
Negative Forms
I am not
- I am not a doctor.
- I am not tired.
- I am not from Italy.
- I am not ready.
He/She/It is not / isn't
- He is not a student.
- She isn't angry.
- It isn't expensive.
- The book isn't interesting.
You/We/They are not / aren't
- You are not late.
- We aren't ready.
- They aren't at home.
- The children aren't hungry.
Questions
Am I...?
- Am I correct?
- Am I late?
- Am I in the right place?
Is he/she/it...?
- Is he a doctor?
- Is she happy?
- Is it difficult?
- Is John at work?
Are you/we/they...?
- Are you okay?
- Are we late?
- Are they students?
- Are the books new?
Question Words with Be
Common Question Words:
What is your name?
Where are you from?
How are you?
Who is that person?
Why are they sad?
When is the meeting?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong: "Am you okay?"
Why wrong: Wrong form with "you"
Why wrong: Wrong form with "you"
Correct: "Are you okay?"
Wrong: "She are beautiful."
Why wrong: Wrong form with "she"
Why wrong: Wrong form with "she"
Correct: "She is beautiful."
Wrong: "They is students."
Why wrong: Wrong form with "they"
Why wrong: Wrong form with "they"
Correct: "They are students."
Wrong: "I am not have a car."
Why wrong: Mixing BE verb with HAVE
Why wrong: Mixing BE verb with HAVE
Correct: "I don't have a car." (or "I am not a car owner.")