LESSON 2

VERB TO BE

WHAT IS THE “TO BE” VERB

One of the most important verbs in English is the “to be” verb. Let’s learn about its meaning and
uses in the English language. The “to be” is a verb used to describe something or someone. In
English, it can be used to say different things according to the context. However, the most
common use of the to be verb is to talk about names, ages, feelings, nationalities, and
professions, especially when talking in the present tense.

I am John. Nice to meet you. She is Mary and I am John.

She is 37 (thirty-seven) years old. We are 18 (eighteen) years old.
They are very happy. It is so excited today.
We are from Brazil. You are American.
You are Canadian. They are French.
I am a teacher. She is a psychologist.

PRESENT

This form of the verb is mainly used in the simple present, and its meaning can change
depending on the use in the context. Also, when writing, the present form of the to be verb can
be shortened .Here is the to be for all the subjects in both long and short forms for affirmative
sentences, and also for negative sentences with to be.

AFFIRMATIVE AFFIRMATIVE
FULL SHORT

I am I’m

You are You’re

He is He’s

She is She’s

It is It’s

We are We’re

You are You’re

They are They’re

EXAMPLES

I am a doctor. I am good, thanks.

You are a good boy. You are happy today.
He is my favorite friend. He is watching movies.
She is a student. She is very excited tonight.
It is a beautiful dog. It is working.
We are best friends. We are in the classroom.
You are very polite. You are sad.
They are very funny. They are playing video games.

EXERCISE

1. Complete the sentences using the verbs am, is or are:

a) He ________ a good actor.
b) She ________ my favorite friend.
c) It _________ a beautiful cat.
d) You _______ a Brazilian boy.
e) We ______ at home.
f) He _______ a soccer player.
g) I _______ hungry.
h) You ________ great teachers.
i) You ________ a great teacher.
j) It _______ a school.
k) I _______ fine, thanks.
l) They ______ late today.

2. Rewrite the sentences to the abbreviated form:

a) I am fine, thanks.
____________________

b) We are good students.

____________________

c) They are at school now.

____________________

d) She is a beautiful girl.

____________________

e) You are from Canada.

____________________
3. Now it’s your turn to create sentences by looking through the pictures:

a) _____________________________________

b) _____________________________________

c) _____________________________________

d) _____________________________________

e) ______________________________________