Verb "to be"

The verb "to be" is one of the most important and frequently used verbs in the English language, so it is worth getting to know it well. Check out the construction of the verb "to be" with examples and simple exercises.

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Affirmative

I	am   …	I’m   …
You	are   …	You’re   …
She	is   …	She’s   …
He	is   …	He’s   …
It	is   …	It’s   …
We	are   …	We’re   …
You	are   …	You’re   …
They	are   …	They’re   …

• I am a student.
  

• You are a teacher.
  

• He is a driver.

• She is a secretary.

• It is a dog.
  

• We are students.

• You are doctors.

• They are drivers.

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Negative

I	am	not   …	I’m not   …
You	are	not   …	You aren’t   …
She	is	not   …	She isn’t   …
He	is	not   …	He isn’t   …
It	is	not   …	It isn’t   …
We	are	not   …	We aren’t   …
You	are	not   …	You aren’t   …
They	are	not   …	They aren’t   …

• I’m not a student.
  

• You aren’t a teacher.
  

• He isn’t a driver.

• She isn’t a secretary.

• It isn’t a dog.
  

• We aren’t students.

• You aren’t managers.

• They aren’t drivers.

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Questions

Am	I   …?
Are	you   …?
Is	she   …?
Is	he   …?
Is	it   …?
Are	we   …?
Are	you   …?
Are	they   …?

• Am I a student?
  

• Are you a teacher?
  

• Is he a driver?

• Is she a secretary?

• Is it a dog?
  

• Are we students?

• Are you doctors?

• Are they drivers?

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Check your knowledge

1. Write affirmatives:

a) He ______ a tall driver.

b) It ______ a small dog.

c) We ______ students.

d) They ______ teachers.

e) I ______ a short woman.

f) She ______ a nurse.

g) You ______ a waitress. 

2. Write negatives:

a) She _______ a tall woman.

b) You _______ a short boy.

c) We _______ students.

d) It ________ a dog.

e) Italy _______ a city.

f) They _______ teachers.

g) This man _______ short.

3. Write questions:

a) ______ we students?

b) ______ they managers?

c) ______ she a tall girl?

d) ______ he a short man?

e) ______ you a sales rep?

f) ______ it a small dog?

g) ______ this woman tall?

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Answer key

1. a) is b) is c) are d) are e) am f) is g) are

2. a) isn't b) aren't c) aren't d) isn't e) isn't f) aren't g) isn't

3. a) Are b) Are c) Is d) Is e) Are f) Is g) Is