The verb “to be” is one of the most important verbs in English, and one of the first that learners should understand. It is used to describe who someone is, what something is, how someone feels, or where something is located.
In the present simple tense, “to be” changes depending on the subject:
- I am
- You/We/They are
- He/She/It is
Forms of “To Be” in the Present Simple Tense
The verb “to be” has three forms in the present simple tense: am, is, and are. The correct form depends on the subject of the sentence.
Singular Forms:
- I → am
- He / She / It → is
Plural Forms:
- You / We / They → are
Here’s a quick reference table:
| Subject | Verb “to be” |
|---|---|
| I | am |
| You | are |
| He / She / It | is |
| We | are |
| They | are |
These forms are used in positive sentences, negatives, and questions, each with simple structure rules.
Positive Sentences with “To Be”
In positive sentences, the structure is:
Subject + am / is / are + complement
This structure is used to talk about names, professions, feelings, places, and more.
Examples:
- I am a student.
- She is my teacher.
- He is very polite.
- It is cold today.
- You are in the right place.
- We are friends.
- They are at the park.
These sentences help describe people, objects, and situations in the present moment.
Negative Sentences with “To Be”
To form negative sentences, add “not” after am, is, or are.
Structure:
Subject + am / is / are + not + complement
Examples:
- I am not tired.
- She is not at home.
- He is not ready yet.
- It is not available.
- You are not late.
- We are not busy right now.
- They are not from this city.
You can also use contractions:
- I’m not, he’s not / he isn’t, they’re not / they aren’t
Yes/No Questions with “To Be”
To ask a yes/no question using the verb “to be,” start the sentence with am, is, or are, followed by the subject.
Structure:
Am / Is / Are + subject + complement?
Examples:
- Am I early?
- Is she your teacher?
- Is it open today?
- Are you from Canada?
- Are we ready to go?
- Are they in class?
These types of questions are common in everyday conversation, especially when asking about identity, condition, or location.
Short Answers with “To Be”
In spoken English, short answers are often used to respond politely or clearly to yes/no questions. The verb “to be” appears again in the answer, matching the subject and tense.
Positive Short Answers:
- Yes, I am.
- Yes, you are.
- Yes, he is.
- Yes, she is.
- Yes, it is.
- Yes, we are.
- Yes, they are.
Negative Short Answers:
- No, I’m not.
- No, you aren’t.
- No, he isn’t.
- No, she isn’t.
- No, it isn’t.
- No, we aren’t.
- No, they aren’t.
These short replies are useful in both formal and informal situations.
Practice Sentences (Mixed Forms)
These example sentences include positive, negative, and question forms of the verb “to be” in the present simple tense. Use them for review or practice.
Positive:
- I am happy to help.
- She is at the library.
- We are ready for the game.
Negative:
- I am not tired.
- He is not my brother.
- They are not here today.
Questions:
- Are you okay?
- Is it your turn?
- Am I too late?
Try creating your own sentences using these patterns. It will help you become more confident when using “am,” “is,” and “are” in everyday situations.
“To Be” in Real-Life Contexts
The verb “to be” (am, is, are) is used in many everyday situations. Here are some common ways you’ll hear or use it:
Describing People or Things
- I am a teacher.
- She is my friend.
- They are new students.
Talking About Location
- I am at home.
- He is in the library.
- We are at the park.
Expressing Feelings or Conditions
- I am tired.
- She is excited.
- You are very kind.
Giving the Time, Date, or Weather
- It is Monday.
- It is 10 o’clock.
- It is sunny today.
These real-life uses help show how important and frequent the verb “to be” is in spoken and written English.
Quick Reference Table: “To Be” in Present Simple Tense
Use this table as a summary to quickly recall the correct form of “to be” for each subject.
| Subject | Positive Form | Negative Form | Question Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I am | I am not | Am I…? |
| You | You are | You are not | Are you…? |
| He / She / It | He is | He is not | Is he / she / it…? |
| We | We are | We are not | Are we…? |
| They | They are | They are not | Are they…? |
Quiz: Practice Using “To Be” in Present Simple
Try these short exercises to check your understanding. Fill in each blank with the correct form of am, is, or are.
1. She ___ my cousin.
2. I ___ not ready yet.
3. They ___ very helpful.
4. ___ you from Canada?
5. It ___ a beautiful day.
6. We ___ in the same class.
7. He ___ not interested in sports.
8. ___ I late?
9. You ___ always on time.
10. The book ___ on the table.
Answer Key:
- is
- am
- are
- Are
- is
- are
- is
- Am
- are
- is
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the present simple forms of the verb “to be”?
The verb “to be” has three forms in the present simple tense:
am – used with I (e.g., I am happy.)
is – used with he, she, or it (e.g., She is a teacher.)
are – used with you, we, or they (e.g., They are students.)
How do you form negative sentences with “to be”?
To make a negative sentence, add “not” after the verb:
I am not tired.
He is not here.
They are not ready.
Contractions are common:
I’m not, he isn’t, they aren’t.
How do you ask questions using “to be”?
Invert the subject and the verb:
Am I late?
Is she your friend?
Are they at home?
Can you use contractions with “to be”?
Yes, contractions are commonly used in spoken and informal written English:
I am → I’m
You are → You’re
He is → He’s
She is → She’s
It is → It’s
We are → We’re
They are → They’re
What are the common mistakes with “to be” in the present simple?
Using the wrong form: He are instead of He is.
Omitting the verb: She happy instead of She is happy.
Incorrect contractions: He’s not vs. He isn’t (both are correct, but consistency is key).
When should I use “to be” in the present simple tense?
Use “to be” to describe:
Identity: I am a student.
Location: They are in the library.
Feelings/Conditions: She is tired.
Characteristics: He is tall.