A1 · Beginner Chapter 1

Starting with the Basics

5 Total Rules
58 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the essential building blocks to start speaking English with confidence and clarity today.

  • Identify the correct forms of 'to be' and 'have'.
  • Describe existence using 'there is' and 'there are'.
  • Apply subject-verb agreement rules to build accurate sentences.
Unlock the power to speak your first English sentences.

What You'll Learn

Ready to take your first exciting steps in English? Here, we'll learn to confidently make sentences that feel just right, like saying 'I am' or talking about what 'there is'. Soon, you'll be building clear, basic sentences all on your own!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Construct simple sentences describing your identity, environment, and possessions.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Imagine unlocking the very first doors to speaking English! This guide is your friendly helper, designed to get you comfortable with the absolute basics so you can start communicating right away. Mastering these fundamental building blocks is super important for anyone starting with the basics in English for beginners. We’re talking about learning how to introduce yourself, describe simple things around you, and even talk about what's happening now. It’s like learning your ABCs before writing a story!
In this chapter, we'll dive into the magic of the verb 'to be' (that's am, is, are), which helps us describe who we are, where we are, and how we feel. We'll also explore how to say something exists using 'there is' and 'there are', and get super clear on how words like have change for different people. Plus, we’ll learn the clever ways English uses words like 'it' and 'there' for everyday talk about time and weather. By the end, you'll feel confident as you learn English A1 grammar and build clear, simple sentences all on your own. Let's make English fun and easy!

How This Grammar Works

At the heart of simple English sentences are a few key patterns that help us describe the world. First up is the verb 'to be', which is essential for identity, location, and feelings. For example, I am happy, You are a student, She is in London. Notice how 'to be' changes: am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. This is a core part of matching subjects and verbs, making sure your sentences sound correct.
Next, when we want to say that something exists, or that it's in a certain place, we use 'there is' for one thing and 'there are' for many things. So, you might say, There is a book on the table (one book), or There are two pens here (many pens). This is another example of subject-verb agreement in action, where the verb (is or are) matches the noun that follows (a book or two pens).
The verb 'have' is also crucial for possession. Like 'to be', it changes based on the subject. Most of the time, we use have (e.g., I have a car, We have a meeting). But there's a special rule for he, she, and it: they use 'has'. For example, He has a new phone, She has a great idea. This "s" ending for he/she/it is a common pattern in present simple verbs in English, often called the 'S' Rule.
Finally, we use 'it' and 'there' in specific ways. 'It' is often used for general conditions like time and weather: It is sunny, It is 3 o'clock. And 'there' is used to introduce the existence of something, as we saw with 'there is/are': There are many people here. These simple structures are your toolkit for forming countless basic English sentences.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Mixing up 'is' and 'are' with 'there'
✗ There are a big problem.
✓ There is a big problem.
Explanation: Remember, the verb (is or are) should agree with the noun *after* 'there'. 'A big problem' is singular, so it needs is.
  1. 1Forgetting the 's' with 'have' for 'he/she/it'
✗ She have a cat.
✓ She has a cat.
Explanation: For he, she, and it, the verb 'have' changes to has in the present simple. This is a very common "S" rule to learn!
  1. 1Incorrectly using 'it' for existence instead of 'there'
✗ It is a nice park in the city.
✓ There is a nice park in the city.
Explanation: Use it for general statements about weather, time, or opinions (It is cold, It is good). Use there to introduce the existence or presence of something.

Real Conversations

At the Café

A

A

Hello! There is a table free by the window.
B

B

Oh, great! Is it for two people?
A

A

Yes, it is.
B

B

Perfect! Thank you.

Meeting a New Friend

A

A

Hi, I am Anna. Nice to meet you.
B

B

Hi Anna, I am Tom. You are from Spain, right?
A

A

Yes, I am. And you are from England?
B

B

That's right! I have a brother here.

In the Office

A

A

Good morning! Is it 9 o'clock already?
B

B

Almost! There are many emails today.
A

A

Oh, I see! He has a lot of work too.

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I know when to use "am," "is," or "are" in English?

You use "am" with "I" (I am). You use "is" with "he," "she," and "it" (He is, She is, It is). You use "are" with "you," "we," and "they" (You are, We are, They are). It's all about matching the right form of 'to be' to the person or thing you're talking about!

Q

What's the main difference between "there is" and "it is"?

"There is" tells you that something exists or is located somewhere (There is a coffee shop nearby). "It is" tells you about the condition, time, or characteristic of something already known or generally understood (It is cold today, It is my favorite color).

Q

Why does "have" change to "has" sometimes?

In English, for present simple sentences, the verb 'have' changes to 'has' only when the subject is 'he', 'she', or 'it' (or a singular noun that represents them, like 'my friend' or 'the dog'). For all other subjects (I, you, we, they), it stays have.

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use these basic patterns constantly, often shortening them in casual speech. For example, I am becomes I'm, there is becomes there's, and it is becomes it's. This informal contraction is very common and makes speech flow faster. While grammatically simple, these structures are the foundation of almost every conversation, from formal meetings to chatting with friends.

Key Examples (8)

1

I am a new student at SubLearn.

The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)
2

She is very tall for her age.

The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)
3

There's a notification on your phone.

There is / There are (Existence)
4

There are five people in this Zoom meeting.

There is / There are (Existence)
5

I **drink** water every morning.

Matching Subjects and Verbs: The 'S' Rule (Subject-Verb Agreement)
6

He **plays** video games after work.

Matching Subjects and Verbs: The 'S' Rule (Subject-Verb Agreement)
7

I have a lot of homework tonight.

Verb 'have': Present Simple forms (I have / He has)
8

She has a beautiful voice for singing.

Verb 'have': Present Simple forms (I have / He has)

Tips & Tricks (4)

🎯

Use Contractions

To sound like a native speaker, always use 'I'm', 'You're', and 'It's' when speaking. Full forms sound very stiff.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)
💡

The 'First Item' Rule

If you are making a list, use 'There is' if the first item is singular, even if there are more items later. Example: 'There is a sofa and two chairs.'
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: There is / There are (Existence)
💡

The 'Does' Magnet

Always remember that 'Does' is like a magnet. It pulls the 's' away from the main verb. If you see 'does' or 'doesn't', the main verb must be 'naked' (no 's').
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Matching Subjects and Verbs: The 'S' Rule (Subject-Verb Agreement)
💡

Check the subject

Always look at the subject before choosing have or has.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verb 'have': Present Simple forms (I have / He has)

Key Vocabulary (6)

I first-person singular is singular state of being have possession there place/existence marker it impersonal subject sun celestial object/weather

Real-World Preview

message-circle

Meeting a New Friend

Review Summary

  • Subject + am/is/are + complement
  • There + is/are + noun
  • Subject (3rd person) + Verb+s
  • Subject + have/has + object
  • It + is + adjective

Common Mistakes

The verb 'to be' changes based on the subject. 'I' always pairs with 'am'.

Wrong: I is a student.
Correct: I am a student.

When the subject is 'he', 'she', or 'it', use 'has' instead of 'have'.

Wrong: She have a car.
Correct: She has a car.

Use 'is' for single items and 'are' for multiple items.

Wrong: There are a pen.
Correct: There is a pen.

Next Steps

You've built a solid foundation. Keep that momentum going into Chapter 2!

Describe your room out loud using 'There is' and 'I have'.

Continue to: Present Tenses

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank with am, is, or are.

She ___ a very kind person.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
Use 'is' for third-person singular (she).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)

Use a contraction.

___ (It is) very hot today.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's
The contraction for 'It is' is 'It's'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)

Complete the short answer.

Are you a student? Yes, I ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: am
Do not use contractions in positive short answers.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)

Find and fix the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

He don't like apples.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He doesn't like apples.
For 'He', use 'doesn't' instead of 'don't'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Matching Subjects and Verbs: The 'S' Rule (Subject-Verb Agreement)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

I'm not have hungry.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm not hungry.
We use 'to be' for hunger, and the negative is 'am not'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

He doesn't has a car.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He doesn't have a car.
Use base form after 'doesn't'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verb 'have': Present Simple forms (I have / He has)

Choose the correct form.

She ___ a cat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: has
She is third person singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verb 'have': Present Simple forms (I have / He has)

Choose the correct verb form.

There ___ many trees in the park.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: are
'Many trees' is plural, so we must use 'are'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'It' and 'There' (Time, Weather, & Existence)

Fill in the blank with 'is' or 'are'.

Is there ___ any milk in the fridge?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
Milk is uncountable, so we use 'is'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: There is / There are (Existence)

Which sentence is correct?

Select the grammatically correct question.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Does she have a car?
In questions, 'does' is used and 'have' returns to base form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Matching Subjects and Verbs: The 'S' Rule (Subject-Verb Agreement)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

English is an old language, and the verb 'to be' comes from different roots. It's irregular, so you just have to memorize these specific pairs.
No, in formal writing, you should use the full forms like I am or It is. Contractions are for speaking and casual writing.
In very casual speech, native speakers often do this (e.g., 'There's two dogs'). However, in exams and formal writing, you must use 'There are'.
Use There is to introduce something for the first time. Use It is to describe that thing later. Example: 'There is a bird. It is blue.'
It's a historical leftover from Old English. Most other person-endings disappeared over time, but the third-person singular 's' survived. It helps distinguish the subject in a sentence.
No. Even if 'they' refers to a single person (singular they), it always takes the plural verb form: They work here, not They works here.
Next Chapter
Present Tenses
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