To Be (Present)
The verb "to be" is a special verb in English that can show information about who, what, where, or how someone or something is. When we use "to be," we change its form depending on the subject, which is called conjugation. For example, we say "I am," "you are," "she is," etc. "To be" is an important verb to learn because it helps us describe people, things, and situations.
Positive
I am / I'm ... .
You are / You're ... .
He is / He's ... .
She is / She's ... .
It is / It's ... .
We are / We're ... .
You are / You're ... .
They are / They're ... .
Negative
I am not ... . / I'm not ... .
You are not ... . / You aren't ... .
He is not ... . / He isn't ... .
She is not ... . / She isn't ... .
It is not ... . / It isn't ... .
We are not ... . / We aren't ... .
You are not ... . / You aren't ... .
They are not ... . / They aren't ... .
Positive Questions
Am I ... ?
Are you ... ?
Is he ... ?
Is she ... ?
Is it ... ?
Are we ... ?
Are you ... ?
Are they ... ?
Negative Questions
Am I not ...?
Are you not ... ? / Aren't you ... ?
Is he not ... ? / Isn't he ... ?
Is she not ... ? / Isn't she ... ?
Is it not ... ? / Isn't it ... ?
Are we not ... ? / Aren't we ... ?
Are you not ... ? / Aren't you ... ?
Are they not ... ? / Aren't they ... ?
Short Answers
Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Yes, you are. / No, you aren't.
Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.
Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
Yes, it is. / No, it isn't.
Yes, we are. / No, we aren't.
Yes, you are. / No, you aren't.
Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
As you can see, "am", "is", "are" are both the main verbs and the auxiliary verbs in the structures above. In other words, we use them to make negative sentences and questions.
Examples:
+She's a doctor.
-She isn't a doctor.
+?Is she a doctor?
-?Isn't she a doctor? / Is she not a doctor?
Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
+They're friendly.
-They aren't friendly.
+?Are they friendly?
-?Aren't they friendly? / Are they not friendly?
Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.
Exercises
Complete the mini-dialogues below with the correct forms of the verb be. Use contractions where possible.
1"____ you from Tokyo?""No, I ____. I ____ Chinese."
"Are you from Tokyo?""No, I'm not. I'm Chinese."
2"Where ____ the other students? ____ they at the gym?""No, they ____. They ____ at the swimming pool."
"Where are the other students? Are they at the gym?""No, they aren't. They are at the swimming pool."
3"Where ____ you from?""I ____ from London. It ____ the capital of England."
"Where are you from?""I'm from London. It's the capital of England."
4"____ you married?""No, I ____, but my brother ____. He has two kids."
"Are you married?""No, I'm not, but my brother is. He has two kids."