The Verb
To Be

The verb to be is one of the most important verbs in English. It is used to describe people, places, things, and feelings.

1. When Do We Use the Verb To Be?

We use to be to:

  • Describe people, places, or things:
    • I am a teacher.
    • She is my sister.
    • They are students.
       
  • Talk about feelings or conditions:
    • I am happy.
    • He is tired.
    • We are ready.
       
  • Say where someone or something is:
    • The book is on the table.
    • They are in the park.

2. Forms of To Be

The verb to be changes depending on the subject:

Positive Sentences
Structure: Subject + am/is/are.

  • I am a student.

  • She is my friend.

  • They are in the garden.

Negative Sentences
Structure: Subject + am not/is not (isn’t)/are not (aren’t).

  • I am not tired.

  • He isn’t a doctor.

  • We aren’t late.

Questions
Structure: Am/Is/Are + subject?

  • Am I right?

  • Is she your sister?

  • Are they ready?

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?

3. WH Questions with To Be

WH Questions are used to ask for specific information.

A) Common WH Question Words

  • Who: asks about people

    • Who is she?

  • What: asks about things

    • What is this?

  • Where: asks about places

    • Where are you?

  • Why: asks for reasons

    • Why are you sad?

  • How: asks about manner or condition

    • How are you?

 

B) Structure for WH Questions

WH word + am/is/are + subject?

  • Who is he?

  • What is this?

  • Where are we?

     

Examples:

  1. Who is that man?

    (Answer: He is my teacher.)

  2. Where are the keys?

    (Answer: They are on the table.)

  3. Why is she late?

    (Answer: She missed the bus.)

Verb "to be"

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