The Verb To Be

By Mr. Ly Tam (Adam Ali)

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online class!
Contents

Verb to be as a main verb

Verb to be as an auxiliary verb

English Class | Laredo York Primary School

Be can have many different forms
depending on its subject and on its tense:

present tense - I am
- he/ she/ it is
- we/ you/ they are
past tense
- I/ he/ she/ it was
- we/ you/ they were
past participle - been
present participle - being
 1. As a linking verb
followed by an adjective or noun
complement:
- Her dad was sick. (Adjective)
- His wife is a doctor. (Noun)

followed by a preposition:
- The children are in bed. (preposition)
2. As an auxiliary verb
Used for forming the passive forms
- Her husband was killed last night by a man.
- My money was stolen.
- He’s a famous actor. He is known all over the world.
Used for forming the progressive tenses
- Is everyone listening?
- I am studying English Literature.
- We were having breakfast when Terry phoned.
Thank you