BE

The verb “be” can be an auxiliary verb (helping verb) or a main verb in English.

“BE” AS A MAIN VERB IN THE SIMPLE PRESENT (AM, ARE, IS)

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE YES/NO QUESTION
I
I am from England. I am not from England. Am I from England?
he, she, it
He is from England. He is not from England. Is he from England?
we, you, they
We are from England. We are not from England. Are we from England

“BE” AS A HELPING VERB IN THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS (AM, ARE, IS) + V –ING
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE YES/NO QUESTION
I
I am reading a book. I am not reading a book. Am I reading a book?
he, she, it:
He is reading a book. He is not reading a book. Is he reading a book?
we, you, they:
We are reading a book. We are not reading a book. Are we reading a book

“BE” AS A MAIN VERB IN THE SIMPLE PAST (WAS, WERE)

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE YES/NO QUESTION
I
I was here. I was not here. Was I here?
he, she, it:
He was here. He was not here. Was he here?
we, you, they:
We were here. We were not here. Were we here?

“BE” AS A HELPING VERB IN THE PAST CONTINUOUS (WAS, WERE) + V –ING

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE YES/NO QUESTION
I
I was reading a book. I was not reading a book. Was I reading a book?
he, she, it
He was reading a book. He was not reading a book. Was he reading a book?
we, you, they
We were reading a book. We were not reading a book. Were we reading a book