Verb “To Be”

The verb to be is a special verb in English. It helps us talk about a person or a thing — what it is, who it is, or where it is.

⏰ When do we use Verb “To Be”?

The verb “to be” is one of the most important verbs in English. We use it to:

Talk about who we are
Describe people and things
Say where things are.

📌 Structure

Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are

Negative: Subject + am not / is not (isn't) / are not (aren't)

Question: Am/Is/Are + subject?

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
I	I am	I am not	Am I?
You	You are	You are not / You aren’t	Are you?
He	He is	He is not / He isn’t	Is he?
She	She is	She is not / She isn’t	Is she?
It	It is	It is not / It isn’t	Is it?
We	We are	We are not / We aren’t	Are we?
They	They are	They are not / They aren’t	Are they?

📝 WH Questions with To Be

WH Questions are used to ask for specific information.

Who: asks about people
- Example: Who is she?
What: asks about things
- Example: What is this?
Where: asks about places
- Example: Where are you?
Why: asks for reasons
- Example: Why are you sad?
How: asks about manner or condition
- Example: How are you?

💬 Examples

✅ Positive Examples

I am a student.
She is happy.
They are at home.

❌ Negative Examples

He is not tired.
We aren’t late.
I am not hungry.

❓ Question Examples

Who is she?
Where are you?
Why is he sad?

Ready to Master the Most Important Verb in English?

Using the “verb to be” (am, is, are, was, were) correctly is the single most fundamental step to speaking and understanding English. It’s essential for everything from introductions to descriptions!

Do you want to practice forming sentences with “to be” and use it confidently in every conversation? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master the “verb to be” and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.

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