Verb "To Be" Grammar Rules

Verb "To Be" Overview

• The verb "to be" is a linking verb that connects the subject to additional information.
• It is used to describe a permanent or temporary condition of the subject.

Forms of "To Be"

• Present tense:
  • I am
  • you are
  • he/she/it is
  • we are
  • they are
• Past tense:
  • I was
  • you were
  • he/she/it was
  • we were
  • they were
• Future tense:
  • I will be
  • you will be
  • he/she/it will be
  • we will be
  • they will be

Uses of "To Be"

• To describe a person's identity or occupation:
  • I am a student.
  • She is a doctor.
• To describe a person's physical or emotional state:
  • He is tired.
  • They are happy.
• To describe a location or position:
  • The book is on the table.
  • The city is in the north.
• To describe a time or date:
  • It is 3 o'clock.
  • The party is on Saturday.

Negations and Contractions

• Negations:
  • I am not (I'm not)
  • you are not (you're not)
  • he/she/it is not (he's not, she's not, it's not)
  • we are not (we're not)
  • they are not (they're not)
• Contractions:
  • I'm (I am)
  • you're (you are)
  • he's/she's/it's (he is/she is/it is)
  • we're (we are)
  • they're (they are)

Common Expressions

• There is/there are:
  • used to describe the existence of something
  • There is a book on the table.
  • There are many people at the party.
• It is/was:
  • used to describe the weather or time
  • It is sunny today.
  • It was cold yesterday.