English Grammar Dossier

To Be

This form of the verb is mainly used in the simple

present, and its meaning can change depending on
the use in the context.

PRONOUN + POSITIVE - NEGATIVE QUESTION SHORT ANSWER

I I am I’m I am not I’m not Am I…? Yes, you are

No, you’re not

You You are You’re You are not You aren’t Are you…? Yes, I am
No, I am not

He He is He’s He is not He isn’t Is he…? Yes, he is

No, he isn’t

She She is She’s She is not She isn’t Is she…? Yes, she is
No, she isn’t

It It is It’s It is not It isn’t Is it…? Yes, it is

No, it isn’t

We We are We’re We are not We aren’t Are we…? Yes, we are

No, we aren’t

You You are You’re You are not You aren’t Are you…? Yes, we are
No, we aren’t

They They are They’re They are not They aren’t Are they…? Yes, they are
No, they aren’t

The verb to be is used to describe or talk about names, ages, feelings, nationalities, professions…

SUBJECT + VERB + COMPLEMENT

(Alex) (is) (excited)

For names: She is Marta

For ages: He is ten years old
For feelings: They are sad
For nationalities: You are from Portugal
For professions: We are police officers