Verb To Be (am, is, are)?
The verb 'to be' is one of the most important verbs in English. It has three present forms — am, is, are — that change based on the subject. The verb 'to be' is used to describe identity, state, age, and location.
The verb 'to be' changes by subject: I am, you/we/they are, he/she/it is. It shows who or what something is, its state, or where it is.
Step-by-step worked examples
Fill: 'My name ___ John. I ___ happy.'
Name (singular) → is I (1st singular) → am Answer: My name is John. I am happy.
Fill: 'They ___ students. We ___ here.'
They (3rd plural) → are We (1st plural) → are Answer: They are students. We are here.
Fill: 'She ___ a teacher. It ___ big.'
She (3rd singular) → is It (3rd singular) → is Answer: She is a teacher. It is big.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.'She ___ a doctor.'
Q2.'They ___ happy.'
Q3.'I ___ from Turkey.'
Q4.'You and I ___ friends.'
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “Verb To Be (am, is, are)?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Using 'am' for everyone (I am, he am, they am). — Correct: I am; he/she/it is; you/we/they are.
Confusing 'is' and 'are' (He are happy). — Correct: Singular nouns/pronouns = is; plural = are.
Forgetting 'to be' in descriptions (He happy). — Correct: Always use 'to be' (He is happy).
Not changing 'to be' for subject (They is here). — Correct: Match the verb form to the subject (They are here).
FAQ
What is the verb 'to be'?
The most important verb in English. It shows what someone/something IS (identity, state, location, age).
How many forms does 'to be' have in present tense?
Three: am (I), is (he/she/it), are (you/we/they).
When do you use 'is' vs. 'are'?
Singular subjects (he, she, it, one person) → is. Plural (you, we, they, many people) → are.
Does 'to be' have past tense forms?
Yes: was (I/he/she/it) and were (you/we/they).