The verb "to be" is very, very important in English. It is challenging because we use it a lot! And it doesn't follow the rules that the other verbs follow. So it's important to know it! First, let's learn the verb "to be".
Present Tense:
I am
You are
He is
She is
It is
We are
They are
Remember: Anything in English that is singular works like "it". For example: The pen is black. The car is new.
Anything in English that is plural works like "they". For example: The pens are black. The cars are new.
Start your sentence with the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)
Then use the correct form of the verb "to be" (am, is, are)
Finish the sentence.
example sentences:
I am a teacher.
You are 20 years old.
He is tall.
She is at the store.
It is hot.
We are learning English.
They are happy.
Here is a simple list to help you remember when to use the verb "to be".
name
examples: I am Trish. My name is Trish. His name is Jon.
age
examples: I am 44 years old. He is 13. They are 40 years old.
job/occupation
examples: I am a teacher. You are a student. My dad is a carpenter. They are doctors.
weather
examples: It is hot. It is cold. It is 35' (degrees) today.
feelings/emotions
examples: She is happy. He is tired. They are bored. We are excited.
location (where something is)
examples: The pen is on the desk. She is at the store. They are on the table.
description
example: The dog is big. The cat is small. You are tall. The papers are white.
continuous tense (future lesson)
example: I am teaching. You are listening. We are talking. They are playing.
Remember: This list is also used in past tense with the verb "to be". (future lesson)
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