Class 6: Present Simple using verb to be

Lesson Summary

CASE 1 (You, We, They)

Affirmative sentence

They are always good people.

With contraction we can say:
They’re always good people.
We can also say:
Gina and Mary are always good people (Because Gina and Mary is equal to they)

You are at the park weekly.

With contraction we can say:
You’re at the park weekly.

Negative sentence

You are not usually at home.

With contraction we can say:
You’re not usually at home.

Pase 1
We aren’t good friends.
With contraction we can say:
We’re not good friends.
We can also say:
George and I aren’t good friends (because George and I is equal to we).

Yes or No Question

Are you at the airport every week?

In this case, as the question is with the subject you, we should answer with the subject I.
The short answers are:
For affirmative: Yes, I am
For negative: No, I am not
No, I’m not.

Are they sisters?

We can also say:
Are Ana and Emma sisters? (Because Ana and Emma is equal to they)
The short answers are:
For affirmative: Yes, they are
For negative: No, they are not
No they aren’t
No, they’re not

Pase 2
W/H Question (Information Question)

Where are you at the moment?

In this case, as the question is with the subject you, we should answer with the subject I.
A possible answer would be:
I am at the stadium

Why are they always at that cafe?

We can also say:
Why are Tim and his friends always at that cafe? (Because Tim and his friends is equal to they)
A possible answer would be:
Because they love coffee.
Or we can also say:
Because Time and his friends love coffee.

CASE 2 (He, She, It)

Affirmative sentence

She is sometimes at the mall.

With contraction we can say:
She’s sometimes at the mall.
We can also say:
Jane is sometimes at the mall (Because Jane is equal to she).

Pase 3
It is always sunny.
With contraction we can say:
It’s always sunny.
We can also say:
Hawaii is always sunny (Because Hawaii is equal to it).

Negative sentence

He is not a bad person.

With contraction we can say:
He’s not a bad person.
We can also say:
Peter is not a bad person (Because Peter is equal to he).

She isn’t at the gym daily.

With contraction we can say:
She’s not at the gym daily.
We can also say:
Carla isn’t at the gym daily (Because Carla and I is equal to she).

Pase 4
Yes or No Question

Is she a good worker?

We can also say:
Is carol a good worker? (Because Carol is equal to she)
The short answers are:
For affirmative: Yes, she is
For negative: No, she is not
No, she isn’t
No, she’s not

Is it hot?
We can also say:
Is the pot hot? (Because the pot is equal to it)
The short answers are:
For affirmative: Yes, it is
For negative: No, it is not
No, it isn’t
No, it’s not

W/H Question (Information Question)

How old is he at the moment?

We can also say:
How old is Nick at the moment (Because Nick is equal to he).

Pase 5
A possible answer would be:
He is 3 years old.
With contraction we can say:
He’s 3 years old.
We can also say:
Nick is 3 years old.

When is it?
We can also say:
When is your birthday? (Because your birthday is equal to it)
A possible answer would be:
It is on September 30th.
With contraction we can say:
It’s on September 30th.
Or we can also say:
My birthday is on September 30th.

CASE 3 (I)
Affirmative sentence

I am at the hospital every day.

With contraction we can say:
I’m at the hospital every day.

Pase 6
Negative sentence

I am not 14. I am 16 years old.

With contraction we can say:
I’m not 14. I’m 16 years old.

Yes or No Question

Am I your friend?
In this case, as the question is with the subject I, we should answer with the subject you.
The short answers are:
For affirmative: Yes, you are
For negative: No, you are not
No, you aren’t
No, you’re not

W/H Question (Information Question)

How far am I from the hotel?

In this case, as the question is with the subject I, we should answer with the subject you.
A possible answer would be:
You are two kilometers from the hotel.
With contraction we can say:
You're two kilometers from the hotel.

Pase 7
Common Mistakes
Confusion between singular and plural

The cashier-cum-accountant are on leave today.

The cashier-cum-accountant is on leave today.
(One person = he / she)

The cashier and the accountant is on leave today.

The cashier-cum-accountant are on leave today.
(Two person = they)

The list of items are on the desk.

The list of items is on the desk.
(One list = it)

My feet is so big.
My feet are so big.
(feet is the plural form of foot = they)

Everybody are happy.

Everybody is happy.
Everybody
Somebody
Singular
Anybody
Nobody

Confusion with verb to be and other verbs

Sara is eats vegetables a lot.

Sara is vegetarian.
Sara eats vegetables a lot.

The boys are do crazy things.

The boys are crazy.
The boys do crazy things.

Pase 8
Missing apostrophes

Your a beautiful girl.

(Your = Possessive determiner of You)

You’re a beautiful girl.

(You’re = You are)

The sofa looks great with it’s new cover.

(its = it is)

The sofa looks great with its new cover.

(its = Possessive determiner of it)

Repetitive words

I am a woman and I am a good mother and I am an office worker.

I am a woman. I am a good mother and I am an office worker.

Pase 9