ECW 9/27/2020

Grammar
Function of ‘To be’

Verb
• Three functions of verbs:

1. is a word used to express a certain action

done by somebody or something – doing
word - action verb

2. is used to tell us the state or condition

of somebody or something – linking verb

3. a verb also tells us about the time of an

action – helping verb

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Verb -- action
• is an important part of a sentence
• is a word used to express a certain
action done by somebody or
something
• is also called a doing word
Example :
1. The spleen contributes to healing
2. Inflammation indicates that the
immune system is on action

Linking verb : to be

• is used to tell us the state or

condition of somebody or something
Examples:
1. It is relevant to how the immune
system is mobilized
2. It is obscure and difficult to be
conceived and understood.

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Examples of Linking Verbs

• Linking verbs include the forms of the

verb to be
– is, am , was, were, are, be, being, been
• Linking verbs are also related to the
senses
– tastes, smells, looks, feels, sounds, seems,
and becomes

To be as a helping Verb

Examples:
The researchers are examining mice.
The immune system is rushing in to
defend the body

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To be as helping verbs –
am, are, is, was, were
Examples Helping Verb Main Verb

I am doing a research am doing

You are exploring a beach are exploring

My brother is appearing on the TV is appearing

I was accompaning him on a journey was accompanying

We are planning a trip are planning

To be as helping verbs –
am, are, is, was, were
Examples Helping Verb Main Verb

I am doing a research am doing

You are exploring a beach

My brother is appearing on the TV

I was accompaning him on a journey

We are planning a trip

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To be as helping verbs –
am, are, is, was, were
Examples Helping Verb Main Verb

I am doing a research am doing

You are exploring a beach are exploring

My brother is appearing on the TV

I was accompaning him on a journey

We are planning a trip

To be as helping verbs –
am, are, is, was, were
Examples Helping Verb Main Verb

I am doing a research am doing

You are exploring a beach are exploring

My brother is appearing on the TV is appearing

I was accompaning him on a journey

We are planning a trip

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To be as helping verbs –
am, are, is, was, were
Examples Helping Verb Main Verb

I am doing a research am doing

You are exploring a beach are exploring

My brother is appearing on the TV is appearing

I was accompaning him on a journey was accompanying

We are planning a trip

To be as helping verbs –
am, are, is, was, were
Examples Helping Verb Main Verb

I am doing a research am doing

You are exploring a beach are exploring

My brother is appearing on the TV is appearing

I was accompaning him on a journey was accompanying

We are planning a trip are planning

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Helping Verb - usage

Examples:
1. I am going to the class.
2. You were feeling excited.

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Present Simple vs Present

Continuous
Present simple
• - facts
I live in Surabaya
I like chemistry
It rains a little here
• - habits
I usually do my homework at night
He drives fast

Present Simple vs Present

Continuous
Present continuous
• - action in progress now
I am talking to you
You’re listening to me
It’s raining here

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Examples
• I am living in Spain
• I am coming from Japan
• Our company is producing glass
• The economy grows again this year
• They build a house next to mine
• Look, it snows

Simple Past

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Tomorrow: Future Tense

• Linking verb to be
will + be
I will be a sixth grader next year

Negative form
I won’t be a sixth grader next year

Forms of the simple past

: Be
• Statement : He was in class
yesterday.
• Negative : He was not in class
yesterday.
• Question : Was he in class
yesterday?
• Short answer : Yes, he was.

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