Simple explanation
What is the verb to be? The verb to be is one of the most important verbs in English. It usually means “to be” and is used to talk about people, things, feelings, jobs, descriptions, and locations. In the present tense, it has three forms: am, is, and are. Choosing am, is, or are The correct form of to be depends on the subject. We use am with I. We use is with he, she, and it. We use are with you, we, and they. Main uses of to be At A1 level, we mainly use to be for introductions, personal information, jobs, nationalities, feelings, descriptions, and locations. It helps us make simple sentences about ourselves and others. Negative sentences with to be To make a negative sentence, add not after am, is, or are. For example, I am not tired means that I am not feeling tired. Questions with to be To make questions, move am, is, or are before the subject. For example: Are you ready?
Grammar formula
Positive sentence
Subject + am/is/are + complementHe is a doctor.
Negative sentence
Subject + am/is/are + not + complementThey are not busy.
Question sentence
Am/Is/Are + subject + complement?Are you ready?
Core rules
- 1
Rule for am
Use am only with the subject I. Example: I am a student.
- 2
Rule for is
Use is with he, she, and it. Example: She is happy.
- 3
Rule for are
Use are with you, we, and they. Example: They are friends.
- 4
Rule for negative forms
Place not after the verb to be to make a sentence negative.
- 5
Rule for questions
Move the verb to be before the subject to make a question.
Useful examples
I am a student.
I am a student.
Use am only with I.
She is my sister.
She is my sister.
Use is with she.
They are at home.
They are at home.
Use are with they.
He is a doctor.
He is a doctor.
Jobs are often described with to be.
We are happy today.
We are happy today.
Feelings can be described with to be.
It is a new phone.
It is a new phone.
Use it for things and objects.
You are my friend.
You are my friend.
You always uses are.
I am not busy now.
I am not busy now.
Not makes the sentence negative.
Is she your teacher?
Is she your teacher?
In questions, is comes before the subject.
Are they students?
Are they students?
Questions with they use are before the subject.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I is a student. ✅ I am a student. I is always used with am, not is.
- ❌ He are my brother. ✅ He is my brother. He is a third-person singular subject and needs is.
- ❌ They is my friends. ✅ They are my friends. They is plural and needs are.
- ❌ She not is happy. ✅ She is not happy. Not comes after the verb to be.
- ❌ You are ready? ✅ Are you ready? In questions, to be comes before the subject.
Learning tips
- Learn the main combinations: I am, he/she/it is, you/we/they are.
- In spoken English, short forms are very common: I'm, he's, they're.
- After to be, we usually use a noun, adjective, or place expression.
- Learn to be as a sentence pattern, not only as separate words.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What does the verb to be mean in English?
The verb to be usually means “to be” and is used to describe people, things, and situations.
When do I use am, is, and are?
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Why is to be different from other verbs?
To be is a special verb because its form changes depending on the subject.
How do I make a question with to be?
Put am, is, or are before the subject. Example: Are you OK?