You cannot speak English without the verb to be. This guide shows I am, you are, he is and the other forms with simple examples, so you can introduce yourself and talk about friends.
This article is the reading companion to the free Mondosol lesson English A1: The Verb To Be (I Am, You Are, She Is), part of the English course. Read it, watch the videos, or press play and listen first, then practise in the lesson.
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In this article
The verb to be: all the forms
Be is the most important verb in English. It changes with the person. In speech we usually use the short form.
| Person | Full form | Short form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I am | I’m | I’m Aisha. |
| you | you are | you’re | You’re my friend. |
| he | he is | he’s | He’s Lars. He’s tall. |
| she | she is | she’s | She’s a chef. She’s busy. |
| it | it is | it’s | It’s a café. |
| we | we are | we’re | We’re happy. |
| they | they are | they’re | They’re at Café Mondo. |
What we use be for
Use be to say who or what someone is, and to describe people and things.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | I am Sofia. |
| Job | She is a teacher. |
| Nationality | We are Norwegian. |
| Age | I am 30. (not “I have 30 years”) |
| Feelings | He is tired. |
| Place | They are at the café. |
In some languages you “have” your age. In English you are it.
Saying no: be + not
Put not after be.
| Full form | Short form |
|---|---|
| I am not tired. | I’m not tired. |
| He is not late. | He isn’t late. / He’s not late. |
| They are not here. | They aren’t here. / They’re not here. |
Asking questions: swap the order
For a question, put be before the person. Then answer with a short answer.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Are you a student? | Yes, I am. / No, I’m not. |
| Is she busy? | Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t. |
| Are they at the café? | Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t. |
Note: in a short “yes” answer we do not use the short form. Say Yes, I am, not “Yes, I’m”.
Common mistakes
- “I am agree” is wrong. Say I agree.
- “She have 20 years” is wrong. Say She is 20.
- “They is” is wrong. Say They are.
Practise in 2 minutes
- Introduce yourself: I’m … I’m from … I’m a …
- Say one thing about a friend: He’s … / She’s …
- Ask a friend: Are you tired? Are you hungry?
Watch: am, is, are
Two clear videos explain the verb to be. Listen to how the teachers use the short forms.
Video: “Basic English Grammar – TO BE verb” by English with Ronnie · EnglishLessons4U with engVid, on YouTube.
Video: “Basic English Grammar | Be verbs AM IS ARE” by Acquire English, on YouTube.
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Frequently asked questions
When do I use “am”, “is” and “are”?
Use am with I, is with he, she and it, and are with you, we and they.
What is the difference between “I am” and “I’m”?
They mean the same. I’m is the short form we use in speech and informal writing.
Why can’t I say “Yes, I’m”?
In a short answer, the verb is the last word, and English does not shorten it there. Say Yes, I am.
Is “you are” singular or plural?
Both. You are works for one person or many people.
How do I make a negative?
Put not after be: I am not, he is not (isn’t), they are not (aren’t).
Keep learning
- Course: English
- Lesson (practise it): English A1: The Verb To Be
- Read next: Weather and Seasons and My Home: Rooms and Furniture
Examples are written for learners. The short forms here are the ones used in everyday speech.
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