The Verb To Be

Am, Is, Are

Structure

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVEFull

FormShort Form Full Form

Short Form

I am I’m I am not I’m not

You are You’re You are not You aren’t

He is He’s He is not He isn’t

She is She’s She is not She isn’t

It is It's It is not It isn’t

We are We’re We are not We aren’t

They are They’re They are not

They aren’t

QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWERS

Am I…? Yes, I am. No, I’m not.

Are you…? Yes, You are. No, You aren’t.

Is he…? Yes, He is. No, He isn’t.

Is she…? Yes, She is. No, She isn’t.

Is it…? Yes, It is. No, It isn’t.

Are we…? Yes, We are. No, We aren’t.

Are they…? Yes, They are.

No, They aren’t.

Structure

Contractions

Use short forms in spoken English and when writing a dialogue, message, notes, card and informal letters.

Don’t shorten the expression “This is”.

This is my web page NOT This’s my web page

Use the verb be:

With age:

Carlos is forty.

I am six.

Use the verb be:

With an adjective:

You are right.

It is easy.

Use the verb be:

With nationality:

They are Turkish.

We’re American.

Use the verb be:

With jobs:

Jim is a dentist.

Tony and Jill are teachers.

References

H.Q., M. (2009). Traveller Elementary. USA: MM Publications.

Hobbs, M., & Starr Keddle, J. (2011). For Real Elementary. UK: Helbling Languages.

Murphy, R. (2004). Grammar in Use. UK: Cambridge University Press.

Vince, M. (2010). Elementary Language Practice English Grammar and Vocabulary (3rd ed.). UK: Macmillan Education.