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A1 verb #1 most common 10 min read

to be

Top 1

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips to be in 30 Seconds

Explanation to be in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'to be' is the first verb you learn. It is used to introduce yourself ('I am Maria'), state your age ('I am 20 years old'), and describe your nationality ('I am Italian'). You also learn to use it for simple descriptions of people and objects ('The car is red,' 'He is tall'). At this stage, the focus is on the present simple forms: am, is, and are. You learn that 'I' always goes with 'am,' 'he/she/it' goes with 'is,' and 'you/we/they' go with 'are.' You also learn basic questions like 'Are you hungry?' and negative forms like 'I am not tired.' This level is about establishing the most basic facts of existence and identity. It is the foundation upon which all other English grammar is built. Without 'to be,' you cannot perform the most basic social functions in English.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'to be' to the past tense: was and were. You learn to describe past states and locations ('I was at home yesterday,' 'They were happy to see us'). You also start using 'to be' to form the present continuous tense to describe actions happening right now ('I am eating lunch'). You begin to understand the use of 'there is' and 'there are' to describe the existence of things in a place ('There is a park near my house'). You also learn to use 'to be' with 'going to' for future plans ('I am going to visit my grandmother'). The focus at A2 is on moving beyond the immediate present and being able to describe past experiences and future intentions using the various forms of 'to be.'

At the B1 level, 'to be' becomes a crucial tool for more complex grammar. You learn the passive voice, where 'to be' is combined with a past participle ('The letter was sent,' 'The bridge is being built'). This allows you to focus on the action or the object rather than the person doing the action. You also learn the present perfect tense ('I have been to London') to talk about life experiences. You start using 'to be' in more complex sentence structures, such as with 'used to' ('I am used to the cold weather') or in relative clauses ('The man who is standing there is my uncle'). At this level, you are expected to use 'to be' accurately across a variety of tenses and moods, and you begin to understand its role as a 'helping verb' in more sophisticated ways.

At the B2 level, you use 'to be' with greater precision and variety. You master the past continuous ('I was working all day') and the past perfect ('I had been there before'). You also use 'to be' in more formal and academic contexts, such as the passive voice in scientific reporting ('The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions'). You begin to use the subjunctive mood more frequently ('If I were in your position...'). You also learn more idiomatic uses of 'to be,' such as 'to be about to' ('I was about to leave') or 'to be supposed to' ('You are supposed to be here at nine'). At this level, your use of 'to be' is fluid, and you rarely make mistakes with subject-verb agreement, even in complex sentences with intervening phrases.

At the C1 level, you use 'to be' to express subtle nuances of meaning. You understand the difference between 'He is being kind' (temporary behavior) and 'He is kind' (permanent character trait). You use 'to be' in advanced structures like cleft sentences for emphasis ('It was John who broke the window, not me'). You also use it in more abstract and philosophical ways, discussing the nature of 'being' and 'existence.' You are comfortable with complex passive forms ('The issue is thought to have been resolved') and the use of 'to be' in formal, inverted structures ('Were it not for his help, we would have failed'). Your command of the verb allows you to use it as a tool for stylistic variation and rhetorical effect in both writing and speaking.

At the C2 level, your use of 'to be' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You master the most obscure and formal uses of the verb, such as the 'to be + infinitive' construction to express future arrangements or commands ('The Prime Minister is to visit Washington next week'). You use 'to be' effortlessly in complex philosophical, legal, and technical discourses. You understand the historical development of the verb and can appreciate its use in archaic or literary contexts. You can manipulate the verb to create specific tones—from the highly formal to the extremely colloquial—and you are aware of the subtle regional variations in its use across the English-speaking world. At this level, 'to be' is not just a grammar rule, but a versatile instrument for precise and sophisticated communication.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

to be in 30 Seconds

The verb 'to be' is the most essential verb in English, used to define identity, describe characteristics, and state locations of people and objects.
It is highly irregular, changing into 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present and 'was', 'were' in the past, depending on the subject.
Beyond its role as a main verb, it serves as a critical auxiliary verb for forming continuous tenses and the passive voice in grammar.
Mastering 'to be' is the first step for any English learner, as it appears in almost every sentence and covers basic communication needs.

The verb to be is the most fundamental building block of the English language. It serves as the primary 'linking verb,' connecting a subject to its identity, characteristics, or location. Unlike action verbs that describe movement or processes, 'to be' describes a state of existence. It is the linguistic equivalent of an equals sign (=) in mathematics. When you say 'I am a student,' you are stating that 'I' and 'student' are the same entity in this context.

Identity and Naming: We use 'to be' to define who or what something is. This is the first thing learners encounter: 'I am John,' 'This is a book,' or 'They are my parents.' It establishes the reality of the subject's identity.
Qualities and States: It describes physical attributes, emotions, and temporary conditions. Examples include 'The sky is blue,' 'She is happy,' or 'The coffee was hot.' It bridges the gap between the noun and the adjective.
Location and Origin: It indicates where something is situated or where it comes from. 'The keys are on the table' or 'I am from Brazil.' This usage is vital for basic navigation and social interaction.

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

— William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Beyond simple identification, 'to be' functions as an auxiliary (helping) verb. It is essential for forming continuous tenses (I am walking) and the passive voice (The cake was eaten). Without 'to be,' English grammar would collapse, as we would lose the ability to describe ongoing actions or the reception of actions. It is irregular, changing its form more than any other verb: am, is, are, was, were, been, and being.

The weather is beautiful today, and we are ready for the picnic.

In philosophical contexts, 'to be' explores the nature of existence itself. Philosophers ask what it means 'to be' human or 'to be' conscious. In everyday life, we use it to express time ('It is five o'clock'), weather ('It is raining'), and prices ('It is ten dollars'). Its versatility is unmatched, making it the most frequent verb in the English language by a significant margin.

I am who I am.

They were at the concert last night.

The Passive Voice: 'To be' is used with the past participle to show that the subject is receiving the action. 'The window was broken' focuses on the window rather than who broke it.
Continuous Actions: Combined with the -ing form, it creates the progressive tenses. 'She is studying' means the action is happening right now.

We have been friends for ten years.

Using 'to be' correctly requires mastering its various forms across tenses and subjects. It is the only verb in English that changes based on the person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and number (singular, plural) in the present simple tense. For example, we say 'I am,' 'you are,' and 'he is.' This level of inflection is rare in modern English, making it a unique challenge for beginners.

Present Simple Forms: 'Am' is used only with 'I.' 'Is' is used with singular subjects (he, she, it, the dog). 'Are' is used with 'you,' 'we,' and 'they.' Example: 'I am ready, and they are waiting.'
Past Simple Forms: 'Was' is used for singular subjects (I, he, she, it). 'Were' is used for plural subjects and 'you.' Example: 'I was tired, but you were energetic.'

If I were you, I would take the job.

The subjunctive mood is another critical area. In hypothetical 'if' clauses, we often use 'were' even for singular subjects: 'If I were rich...' This indicates a counterfactual situation. Additionally, 'to be' is used in the future tense with 'will be' (I will be there) and in the perfect tenses with 'have been' (I have been busy). Each of these forms serves to place the state of being within a specific timeframe.

The children are being very quiet right now.

Negative sentences are formed by adding 'not' directly after the verb: 'I am not,' 'she is not,' 'they are not.' Questions are formed by inverting the subject and the verb: 'Are you happy?' instead of 'You are happy.' This inversion is a hallmark of English question structure and starts with the verb 'to be' in its earliest stages of learning.

Are we there yet?

The Infinitive: 'To be' is the infinitive form. It is used after modal verbs (can be, should be, must be) and after other verbs (want to be, hope to be). Example: 'I want to be a pilot.'
The Gerund: 'Being' acts as a noun or an adjective. 'Being kind is important' (noun) or 'He is being difficult' (temporary behavior).

It is important to be on time for the interview.

In summary, 'to be' is the skeleton of the English sentence. It supports the meaning by providing the necessary temporal and relational context. Whether you are describing yourself, asking a question, or talking about the past, 'to be' is the tool you will use most often. Its complexity lies in its irregularity, but its utility is infinite.

You will hear 'to be' in every single conversation, broadcast, and text in the English-speaking world. It is ubiquitous. From the moment you wake up ('Is it morning already?') to the moment you go to sleep ('I am so tired'), this verb facilitates almost every exchange of information. In media, it is used to report facts, describe scenes, and express opinions.

'The news is coming to you live from London.'

In professional settings, 'to be' is used for status updates and reporting. 'The project is on track,' 'The results are promising,' or 'We are meeting at noon.' It provides the clarity needed for business operations. In casual settings, it is the vehicle for gossip, storytelling, and emotional expression. 'He was so angry!' or 'They are such a cute couple!'

In academic and scientific writing, 'to be' is used to state hypotheses and findings. 'The sample is contaminated,' or 'These variables are correlated.' While some writing styles suggest avoiding 'to be' in favor of more 'active' verbs, it remains unavoidable for defining terms and establishing conditions. It is the language of definition.

'There is a 50% chance of rain today.'

In literature, 'to be' sets the scene. 'It was a dark and stormy night' is perhaps the most famous opening line in English fiction, using the past tense of 'to be' to establish atmosphere. It allows authors to paint a picture of the world they have created before the action begins. Without it, descriptions would feel fragmented and disconnected.

Daily Greetings: 'How are you?' 'I am fine.' This is the most common social script in English.
Public Announcements: 'The train is delayed.' 'The store is now closed.' It conveys essential public information.

'You are not alone.'

Because 'to be' is so irregular, it is a frequent source of errors for learners. The most common mistake is subject-verb agreement. Learners often say 'They is' instead of 'They are' or 'I are' instead of 'I am.' This usually happens when the learner applies the standard rule of adding 's' to the third person singular to other persons, or forgets the unique forms of 'to be' entirely.

Omission of the Verb: In many languages (like Russian or Arabic), the present tense of 'to be' is often omitted. Learners might say 'She happy' instead of 'She is happy.' In English, the verb is mandatory.
Confusing 'Is' and 'Are' with Plurals: Collective nouns like 'family' or 'team' can be tricky. In US English, we usually say 'The team is winning,' while in UK English, 'The team are winning' is also common. This nuance can confuse even advanced learners.

He be a doctor.
He is a doctor.

Another frequent error involves the use of 'being' vs 'been.' 'Been' is the past participle used in perfect tenses (I have been there), while 'being' is the present participle used in continuous tenses (He is being rude). Mixing these up—'I have being there'—is a common slip. Similarly, the past tense forms 'was' and 'were' are often swapped, especially in informal speech ('We was there'), which is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

They was at the party.
They were at the party.

Finally, learners often struggle with 'to be' in questions. They might say 'You are happy?' with rising intonation instead of the correct 'Are you happy?' While the former is sometimes used in very informal speech, the latter is the standard grammatical form. Forgetting to invert the subject and verb is a very common 'transfer error' from the learner's native language.

While 'to be' is the most common linking verb, English has several other 'stative' or 'linking' verbs that provide more specific information about the state of the subject. Using these alternatives can make your writing more descriptive and precise. Instead of just saying something 'is' a certain way, you can describe how it 'seems,' 'appears,' or 'feels.'

Seem / Appear: These suggest an impression or an outward look. 'She is tired' is a fact; 'She seems tired' is an observation that might or might not be true.
Become / Get: These describe a change in state. 'It is dark' vs 'It is becoming dark' or 'It is getting dark.' They show the process of moving into a state of being.
Exist: This is a more formal and philosophical alternative. Instead of 'There are many problems,' one might say 'Many problems exist.' It emphasizes the reality of the subject's presence.

The food tastes delicious (instead of 'The food is delicious').

Sensory verbs like 'taste,' 'smell,' 'look,' 'sound,' and 'feel' are excellent substitutes for 'to be' when describing physical experiences. 'The music is loud' is basic; 'The music sounds loud' is more focused on the auditory experience. 'The fabric is soft' vs 'The fabric feels soft.' These verbs add a layer of sensory detail that 'to be' lacks.

She remains the best candidate for the job.

'Remain' and 'stay' are used when a state of being continues over time. 'He is calm' vs 'He remains calm' (despite the chaos). These verbs emphasize the persistence of the state. In formal contexts, 'constitute' or 'represent' can replace 'to be.' 'This is a violation' becomes 'This constitutes a violation.' These alternatives elevate the register of the language.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

Because 'to be' comes from three different roots, it is the most irregular verb in English and many other Indo-European languages like Latin and Greek.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tuː biː/

US /tu bi/

The stress is usually on the 'be' if emphasized, but it is often unstressed as an auxiliary.

Rhymes With

see tree free me key tea sea knee

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'be' with a short 'e' like 'bed'.
Over-emphasizing the 'to' in 'to be'.
Confusing the pronunciation of 'been' (bin) and 'bean' (been) in some dialects.
Dropping the 'r' sound in 'were' (UK vs US differences).
Mispronouncing 'was' as 'wass' instead of 'wuz'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Extremely common and easy to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Irregular forms and subject-verb agreement can be tricky.

Speaking 2/5

Contractions are essential for natural speech.

Listening 2/5

Can be hard to hear when contracted or unstressed.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

I you he she it we they

Learn Next

have do go want like

Advanced

exist constitute represent manifest embody

Grammar to Know

Subject-Verb Agreement

He is (not He are).

Present Continuous Formation

I am eating.

Passive Voice Formation

The window was broken.

Subjunctive Mood

If I were you...

Question Inversion

Are you ready?

Examples by Level

I am a student.

Yo soy un estudiante.

First person singular 'am'.

She is my sister.

Ella es mi hermana.

Third person singular 'is'.

They are from Spain.

Ellos son de España.

Third person plural 'are'.

The apple is red.

La manzana es roja.

Singular object 'is'.

Are you hungry?

¿Tienes hambre? (lit. ¿Estás hambriento?)

Question form with inversion.

It is cold today.

Hace frío hoy. (lit. Está frío hoy.)

Dummy subject 'it' for weather.

We are at home.

Estamos en casa.

First person plural 'are'.

I am not tired.

No estoy cansado.

Negative form with 'not'.

I was at the party yesterday.

Estuve en la fiesta ayer.

Past simple singular 'was'.

Were they happy with the gift?

¿Estaban ellos felices con el regalo?

Past simple plural question 'were'.

She is cooking dinner now.

Ella está cocinando la cena ahora.

Present continuous auxiliary.

There is a cat on the sofa.

Hay un gato en el sofá.

Existence with 'there is'.

We were very busy last week.

Estuvimos muy ocupados la semana pasada.

Past simple plural 'were'.

I am going to travel to Paris.

Voy a viajar a París.

Future intention with 'going to'.

It was a beautiful day.

Fue un día hermoso.

Past state description.

Are there any eggs in the fridge?

¿Hay huevos en la nevera?

Existence question plural.

The cake was made by my mother.

El pastel fue hecho por mi madre.

Passive voice past simple.

I have been to Japan twice.

He estado en Japón dos veces.

Present perfect 'have been'.

The road is being repaired.

La carretera está siendo reparada.

Present continuous passive.

I am used to waking up early.

Estoy acostumbrado a despertarme temprano.

'To be used to' + gerund.

She has been working here for a year.

Ella ha estado trabajando aquí por un año.

Present perfect continuous.

It is said that he is very rich.

Se dice que él es muy rico.

Impersonal passive construction.

The books were left on the table.

Los libros fueron dejados en la mesa.

Passive voice plural.

If I were you, I would go.

Si yo fuera tú, iría.

Second conditional subjunctive.

The project is to be completed by Friday.

El proyecto debe ser completado para el viernes.

Formal future obligation.

He was about to leave when the phone rang.

Él estaba a punto de irse cuando sonó el teléfono.

'To be about to' for immediate future.

The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.

Se cree que el sospechoso está escondido en el bosque.

Passive with infinitive.

I had been waiting for an hour before she arrived.

Había estado esperando por una hora antes de que ella llegara.

Past perfect continuous.

The results were far from being satisfactory.

Los resultados estuvieron lejos de ser satisfactorios.

Gerund after a prepositional phrase.

It is essential that everyone be present.

Es esencial que todos estén presentes.

Present subjunctive 'be'.

The house was being painted when we bought it.

La casa estaba siendo pintada cuando la compramos.

Past continuous passive.

You are supposed to finish this today.

Se supone que debes terminar esto hoy.

'To be supposed to' for expectation.

It was only then that I realized how lucky I was.

Fue solo entonces que me di cuenta de lo afortunado que era.

Cleft sentence for emphasis.

Were it not for your help, I would have failed.

Si no fuera por tu ayuda, habría fallado.

Inverted conditional (formal).

The problem is being addressed as we speak.

El problema está siendo abordado mientras hablamos.

Continuous passive with idiom.

He is not the man he used to be.

Él no es el hombre que solía ser.

State of being over time.

The city is said to have been founded in the 12th century.

Se dice que la ciudad fue fundada en el siglo XII.

Perfect passive infinitive.

Being as it was a holiday, the shops were closed.

Siendo que era un día festivo, las tiendas estaban cerradas.

Participle clause for reason.

The goal is for the project to be self-sustaining.

El objetivo es que el proyecto sea autosuficiente.

Infinitive clause as complement.

There is no being certain about the future.

No hay forma de estar seguro sobre el futuro.

Gerund after 'there is no'.

To be, or not to be: that is the question.

Ser o no ser, esa es la cuestión.

Infinitive as subject (philosophical).

The sheer fact of his being there was enough to calm her.

El mero hecho de que él estuviera allí fue suficiente para calmarla.

Gerund with possessive.

Such as it is, this is the best we can offer.

Tal como es, esto es lo mejor que podemos ofrecer.

Fixed expression 'such as it is'.

The truth is to be found somewhere in the middle.

La verdad se encuentra en algún lugar en el medio.

Passive infinitive for possibility/necessity.

He is being particularly difficult today, isn't he?

Él está siendo particularmente difícil hoy, ¿no?

Continuous 'being' for temporary behavior.

The suspect, having been seen near the scene, was arrested.

El sospechoso, habiendo sido visto cerca de la escena, fue arrestado.

Perfect passive participle clause.

It is for the committee to decide who is to be the next chair.

Corresponde al comité decidir quién será el próximo presidente.

'To be + infinitive' for future appointment.

Whatever the outcome may be, we must remain united.

Cualquiera que sea el resultado, debemos permanecer unidos.

Subjunctive 'be' in a concessive clause.

Common Collocations

be careful

be quiet

be happy

be late

be ready

be right

be wrong

be sure

be able to

be afraid of

Common Phrases

To be honest

— Used to introduce a truthful or frank statement.

To be honest, I didn't like the movie.

As it were

— Used to indicate that a description is not literal.

He was the king of the office, as it were.

So be it

— Used to show acceptance of a situation that cannot be changed.

If they want to leave, so be it.

Let it be

— Used to suggest leaving a situation alone.

Don't worry about the small things; just let it be.

Be that as it may

— Used to acknowledge a point while introducing a contrasting one.

Be that as it may, we still need to finish the project.

To be sure

— Used to admit that something is true before making a different point.

To be sure, the task is difficult, but it is not impossible.

Well to be

— Often used in the context of 'well-to-do' meaning wealthy.

They come from a well-to-do family.

To be continued

— Used at the end of a story or episode that will finish later.

The episode ended with 'To be continued'.

Be yourself

— Advice to act naturally rather than trying to impress others.

The best advice I can give is to just be yourself.

To be fair

— Used to introduce a point that balances or justifies a previous one.

To be fair, she did try her best.

Often Confused With

to be vs have

In some languages, you 'have' an age or 'have' hunger. In English, you 'are' an age and 'are' hungry.

to be vs do

Learners sometimes use 'do' for questions that need 'be' (e.g., 'Do you are happy?' instead of 'Are you happy?').

to be vs stay

Learners might say 'I stay at home' when they mean 'I am at home' (location vs. remaining).

Idioms & Expressions

"To be in the same boat"

— To be in the same difficult situation as someone else.

We are all in the same boat regarding the budget cuts.

informal

"To be on cloud nine"

— To be extremely happy.

She was on cloud nine after passing her exam.

informal

"To be under the weather"

— To feel slightly ill or not well.

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.

informal

"To be all ears"

— To be listening very carefully.

Tell me the story; I'm all ears.

informal

"To be a piece of cake"

— To be very easy to do.

The test was a piece of cake.

informal

"To be in hot water"

— To be in trouble.

He's in hot water for missing the deadline.

informal

"To be over the moon"

— To be very excited and happy.

They were over the moon about the new baby.

informal

"To be on the fence"

— To be undecided about something.

I'm still on the fence about which car to buy.

informal

"To be the apple of someone's eye"

— To be someone's favorite person.

His granddaughter is the apple of his eye.

informal

"To be broke"

— To have no money.

I can't go out tonight; I'm broke.

informal

Easily Confused

to be vs its

Sounds the same as 'it's'.

'Its' is possessive; 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is'.

The dog wagged its tail because it's happy.

to be vs been

Sounds like 'bin' or 'bean'.

'Been' is the past participle of 'to be'.

I have been busy.

to be vs being

Confused with 'been'.

'Being' is the present participle/gerund; 'been' is the past participle.

Stop being mean!

to be vs were

Confused with 'where' or 'wear'.

'Were' is the past tense of 'to be'; 'where' is a location; 'wear' is for clothes.

They were where they said they would be.

to be vs was

Confused with 'were'.

'Was' is singular; 'were' is plural (and for 'you').

I was there, but they were not.

Sentence Patterns

I am [noun/adjective].

I am happy.

They were [prepositional phrase].

They were at the park.

It has been [adjective] lately.

It has been cold lately.

The [noun] is being [past participle].

The house is being cleaned.

It was [noun] that [verb].

It was the wind that broke the door.

Were it not for [noun]...

Were it not for the rain, we would go.

To be [adjective] is to be [adjective].

To be free is to be responsible.

[Noun], having been [past participle]...

The city, having been destroyed, was rebuilt.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

How to Use It

frequency

The most frequent verb in the English language.

Common Mistakes

I is a student. → I am a student.
The first person singular 'I' always takes 'am' in the present tense.
They was at the park. → They were at the park.
Plural subjects in the past tense always take 'were'.
She being very nice today. → She is being very nice today.
You cannot use 'being' alone as the main verb; it needs a form of 'to be' before it.
If I was you, I'd go. → If I were you, I'd go.
In hypothetical situations (the subjunctive), 'were' is the standard form for all subjects.
The data is ready. → The data are ready.
In formal/academic English, 'data' is the plural of 'datum' and takes 'are'.

Tips

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always double-check that your form of 'to be' matches your subject. Remember: I am, You are, He/She/It is, We are, They are.

Use Contractions

To sound more natural in conversation, use 'I'm', 'you're', 'he's', etc. Native speakers rarely say 'I am' unless they are being very formal or emphatic.

Passive Voice

Use 'to be' + past participle to form the passive voice when the person doing the action is unknown or unimportant. 'The car was stolen.'

Sensory Alternatives

Instead of always using 'is', try sensory verbs like 'looks', 'sounds', or 'feels' to make your descriptions more vivid.

Don't Omit the Verb

Never forget the verb 'to be'. 'She happy' is incorrect; you must say 'She is happy'.

Questions

Invert the subject and verb for questions. 'Are you...?' 'Is he...?' 'Were they...?' This is a fundamental rule of English.

Unstressed 'Be'

In sentences like 'I'll be there', the 'be' is often very short. Practice listening for these quick auxiliary uses.

Subjunctive Mood

Use 'were' for all subjects in hypothetical 'if' sentences. 'If I were a bird, I would fly.' This is the correct formal usage.

It's vs Its

Remember that 'it's' always means 'it is' or 'it has'. If you want to show possession, use 'its' without the apostrophe.

Politeness

Use 'to be' in phrases like 'Would you be so kind as to...' for a very high level of politeness in formal requests.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'AM-IS-ARE': 'A'm for me, 'I's for he/she, 'A're for we/they. It's the 'AIA' of identity!

Visual Association

Imagine an equals sign (=). Whenever you use 'to be', you are putting an equals sign between the subject and the description.

Word Web

Identity Location State Time Weather Auxiliary Passive Existence

Challenge

Try to write five sentences about yourself using 'am', 'was', 'have been', 'will be', and 'being'.

Word Origin

The verb 'to be' is a 'suppletive' verb, meaning its forms come from several different Proto-Indo-European roots. 'Am' and 'is' come from *es-, 'was' and 'were' come from *wes-, and 'be' and 'been' come from *bhu-.

Original meaning: The roots meant 'to exist', 'to dwell', and 'to grow/become' respectively.

Germanic (Old English 'beon', 'wesan').

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'to be' when describing people; using 'is' with labels can sometimes be reductive (e.g., 'He is a diabetic' vs 'He has diabetes').

The use of 'to be' is essential for polite introductions and small talk, which are key to social integration.

'To be, or not to be' - Hamlet 'I am what I am' - Popeye/Gloria Gaynor 'Let it be' - The Beatles

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Introductions

I am...
This is...
Are you...?
They are my...

Weather

It is sunny.
It was raining.
Is it cold?
It will be hot.

Locations

Where is...?
I am here.
They are at...
The keys were...

Feelings

I am happy.
Are you okay?
She was sad.
We are tired.

Time

What time is it?
It is noon.
The meeting is at...
It's late.

Conversation Starters

"How are you doing today?"

"Where are you from originally?"

"Is this your first time here?"

"What is your favorite hobby?"

"Are you ready for the weekend?"

Journal Prompts

Who am I today compared to five years ago?

What are the three things I am most grateful for right now?

Describe a place where you were very happy.

What is the most important quality to be a good friend?

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

This is due to the history of the English language. 'To be' comes from different ancient roots that merged together. 'Am' comes from one root, while 'are' comes from another. This irregularity is very old and exists in many related languages.

Use 'was' for singular subjects like 'I', 'he', 'she', and 'it'. Use 'were' for plural subjects like 'we' and 'they', and always for 'you' (even if you are talking to one person). Example: 'I was happy' but 'You were happy'.

In formal grammar, 'It is I' is technically correct because 'to be' is a linking verb and takes the subject case. However, in modern spoken English, 'It is me' is much more common and is considered acceptable in almost all situations.

In the passive voice, 'to be' acts as a helping verb to show that the subject is receiving an action. For example, in 'The window was broken', the verb 'was' tells us the state of the window after someone broke it.

Yes, 'being' can be a noun meaning a living creature (e.g., 'a human being') or the state of existing (e.g., 'her whole being'). It is a very versatile word in philosophy and science.

Languages like Arabic or Russian often omit the present tense of 'to be'. This is called a 'zero copula'. In English, however, the verb is always required to make a sentence grammatically complete.

'He is kind' describes his permanent character. 'He is being kind' describes his temporary behavior right now. Use 'being' with adjectives to talk about how someone is acting at a specific moment.

Simply move the verb to the front of the sentence. 'You are happy' becomes 'Are you happy?' You don't need to add 'do' or 'does' like you do with other verbs.

'There is' and 'there are' are used to say that something exists in a particular place. 'There is a book on the table' means a book exists in that location.

No, 'to be' is a stative verb or a linking verb. It does not describe an action like 'run' or 'jump'; instead, it describes a state, identity, or condition.