Present simple of 'to be'
A1 BeginnerThe present simple of 'to be' describes identity, characteristics, and states in the present. It is the most common verb in English and uses three distinct forms: am, is, and are.
Overview
The verb to be connects a subject to a description or a noun. It is used to talk about names, ages, jobs, nationalities, and feelings. Unlike other English verbs, it changes its form based on the subject pronoun.
Form
Subject + am/is/are + complement
The verb has three forms in the positive present simple: am, is, and are. In speech and informal writing, these are often shortened into contractions.
- I am (I'm)
- He/She/It is (He's/She's/It's)
- You/We/They are (You're/We're/They're)
Examples
Common mistakes
I is happy.
I am happy.
The first person singular 'I' always takes 'am'.
They is students.
They are students.
Plural subjects and 'you' must use 'are'.
Practice
She ___ (be) a doctor.
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is
Answer:is
Why:The third person singular (he, she, it) uses 'is'.
We ___ (be) hungry.
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are
Answer:are
Why:The first person plural 'we' uses 'are'.
I ___ (be) twenty years old.
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am
Answer:am
Why:The first person singular 'I' always uses 'am'.