UNIT 1

People
 TO BE
Ser/estar
1) Conjugation of the verb to be.

Pronoun Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I am am not Am I?
You are are not Are you?
He is is not Is he?
She is is not Is she?
It is is not Is it?
We are are not Are we?
You are are not Are you?
They are are not Are they?
1.1) Conjugation of the verb to be with contraction.

Affirmative Negative
I’m I’m not
You’re You aren’t
He’s He isn’t
She’s She isn’t
It’s It isn’t
We’re We aren’t
You’re You aren’t
They’re They aren’t
1.2) Short answers for the interrogative form.

Interrogative Short answers

Am I? Yes, I am / No, I’m not
Are you? Yes, you are / No, you aren’t
Is he? Yes, he is / No, he isn’t
Is she? Yes, she is / No she isn’t
Is it? Yes, it is / No, it isn’t
Are we? Yes, we are / No, we aren’t
Are you? Yes, you are / No, you aren’t
Are they? Yes, they are / No, they aren’t
 2) We can use the verb to be to ask about:

• Ages: I am 16 and my brother is six years old.

• Occupations: She is a student and her parents are teachers.
• Prices: This watch is £30.
• Time: It’s nine o’clock. It’s a quarter past five ( It’s 5:15).
• Feelings and states: I’m hungry. I’m in love. She’s happy.
• Nationality: They’re Argentinian. I’m Mexican.
• Colours: His eyes are blue. My hair is dark brown.
• People (names): I am Rose. My name is Rose. He is James.
• Objects: That is a table. It’s a bed. This is a computer.
• Where something is: The Big Ben is in London. Pizzas are from Italy.
 Examples:

• Aff. Richard is in London.

• Neg. Richard is not in London. /Richard isn’t in London.
• Int. Is Richard in London? Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.

• Aff. They are in the garden.

• Neg. They aren’t in the garden.
• Int. Are they in the garden? Yes, they are / No, the aren’t

• Aff. English is an easy language.

• Neg. English isn’t an easy language.
• Int. Is English an easy language? Yes, it is / No, it isn’t
3) Question words.
We use the verb to be with question words when we require more information
in the answer.

• What is your favourite film? My favourite film is Harry Potter.

• Where is my mobile? It’s on the table.
• Who is your best friend? My best friend is James.
• How are you? I’m fine, thank you. / I’m ok, thanx (informal).
• Why are you sad? Because I lost my wallet.
• When is your birthday? It’s on 4 May.