The simple present of the verb to be
This page will present the simple present of the verb to be:
The verb to be
The verb to be is the most important verb in the English language. It is difficult to use because it is an irregular verb in almost all of its forms. In the simple present tense, to be is conjugated as follows:
Affirmative forms of the verb to be
| Subject Pronouns | Full Form | Contracted Form |
|---|
| I | am | 'm |
| you | are | 're |
| he/she/it | is | 's |
| we | are | 're |
| you | are | 're |
| they | are | 're |
Interrogative forms of the verb to be:
| Am | I? |
| Are | you? |
| Is | he/she/it? |
| Are | we? |
| Are | you? |
| Are | they? |
Negative Forms of the verb to be:
| Subject Pronouns | Full Form | Contracted Form |
|---|
| I | am not | 'm not |
| you | are not | aren't |
| he/she/it | is not | isn't |
| we | are not | aren't |
| you | are not | aren't |
| they | are not | aren't |
Examples:
- Is Brad Pitt French?
- No, he isn't. He's American.
- What about Angelina Joli? Is she American, too?
- Yes, she is. She is American.
- Are brad Pitt and Angelina Joli French?
- No, They aren't. They are American.
Remember:
- I, you, he, she, it, you, they are subject pronouns (also called subject pronouns.)
- am, are, is are forms of the verb to be in the simple present.
- 'm, 're, 's are short (contracted) forms of am, are, is
- 'm not, aren't, isn't are short (contracted forms) of am not, are not, is not
- Use the simple present tense to indicate:
- Routine actions, habits
- Facts
