Meeting 2: “Be” Verbs (am, is, are)

Introduction

In English, we often use the Be verb to describe people, things, and situations.
It is one of the most common and important verbs you’ll hear in daily conversation!

The Be verb connects the subject of a sentence with:

• a noun (to identify someone or something),
• an adjective (to describe condition or quality), or
• a prepositional phrase (to show place or position).

1. The Three Forms of “Be” in the Present Tense

There are three forms of the “Be” verb used in the present tense:

• am → used with I
• is → used with he, she, it, or singular nouns
• are → used with you, we, they, or plural nouns

Examples:

• I am happy.
• She is my friend.
• We are ready to start.

Tip:
Think of “Be” as a link between the subject and what describes it.

2. “Be” Verbs Before Nouns

When “Be” comes before a noun, it tells what or who someone is.

Examples:

• I am a teacher.
• You are a student.
• He is a doctor.
• They are my classmates.
• The cat is a pet.

Meaning: “Be” links the subject with an identity or name.

3. “Be” Verbs Before Adjectives

When “Be” comes before an adjective, it describes the subject’s condition or feeling.

Examples:

• I am hungry.
• It is hot today.
• She is tired after work.
• We are excited for the trip.
• They are happy to meet you.

Tip:
Adjectives that often follow “Be”: hungry, tired, happy, busy, sad, cold, ready, beautiful.

4. “Be” Verbs Before Prepositional Phrases

When “Be” is followed by a prepositional phrase, it shows location or position.

Examples:

• She is at home.
• The books are on the table.
• My friends are in the classroom.
• The teacher is near the board.
• I am in front of the school.

Common prepositions used with “Be”: at, in, on, under, behind, near, beside, between.

5. Contractions in Everyday Speech

In spoken English, “Be” verbs are often contracted (shortened).
These forms are very common in daily conversation and listening practice.

Examples:

• I am → I’m → I’m fine.
• You are → You’re → You’re late.
• He is → He’s → He’s my friend.
• She is → She’s → She’s a student.
• We are → We’re → We’re ready.
• They are → They’re → They’re at home.

Note: In informal speech, contractions make your English sound more natural.

6. Negative Form

To make a sentence negative, simply add “not” after the Be verb.

Examples:

• I am not sleepy.
• She is not here.
• We are not busy.
• It is not cold today.

Contractions for negatives:

• is not → isn’t
• are not → aren’t
• am not → (no short form; we just say I’m not)

7. Question Form

When you ask a question with a “Be” verb, move it to the front of the sentence.

Examples:

• Are you ready? → Yes, I am.
• Is she a teacher? → No, she isn’t.
• Am I late? → No, you’re on time.
• Are they in class? → Yes, they are.

8. Summary

• “Be” verbs (am, is, are) show identity, description, or location.
• Use am for I, is for he/she/it, are for you/we/they.
• Don’t forget contractions and negative forms for daily conversation!

Examples Recap:

• I’m a student.
• She’s happy.
• They’re in the park.
• He isn’t tired.
• Are you ready?