The verb to be
am, is, are, contractions, and adjectives that describe feelings and states.
| Positive | Contraction | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am | I'm | I'm not | Am I…? |
| you are | you're | you aren't | Are you…? |
| he / she / it is | he's, she's, it's | he isn't | Is he…? |
| we / they are | we're, they're | we aren't | Are they…? |
In speech and messages we almost always use contractions. In formal writing we use the full form.
Be + adjective for states
| Meaning | English |
|---|---|
| age | to be 20 (years old) |
| needing food / drink | to be hungry / thirsty |
| temperature | to be hot / cold |
| fear | to be afraid / scared |
| correct / incorrect | to be right / wrong |
| tiredness | to be sleepy / tired |
- How old are you? – I'm 25.age uses be
- Are you hungry? – No, I'm not.short answer with be
Test yourself
-
Complete: She ___ a teacher.
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is -
Correct: We have cold.
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We're cold. -
Correct: You have reason.
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You're right. -
Make negative: They are at home.
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They aren't at home. / They're not at home.