Present Tenses

Simple Present: To Be

The Verb To Be in the Simple Present

The verb to be has three forms in the present simple: am, is, and are. It is used to describe people, things, feelings, nationalities, jobs, and more.

I → am | He / She / It → is | You / We / They → are

Positive Sentences

I am a student.

She is from Brazil.

They are very friendly.

It is cold today.

We are in the classroom.

Negative Sentences

Add not after the verb. Common contractions: isn't, aren't. Note: am not has no standard contraction.

I am not tired.

He isn't (is not) a doctor.

We aren't (are not) late.

Questions

Move the verb to be before the subject to form a question.

Are you ready?

Is she your teacher?

Am I late?

Where are they from?

⚠ Common mistakes:
✗ She is a doctor? (question without inversion) → ✓ Is she a doctor?
✗ They is happy. → ✓ They are happy.
✗ He are my friend. → ✓ He is my friend.

Match the Sentence Halves

Click a sentence beginning on the left, then click its matching ending on the right.

Matched 0 / 5

Fill in the Gaps

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb to be (am / is / are).

Find the Mistake

One sentence, four underlined parts. Click the lettered part that contains the error — it is not always in the grammar of this lesson, so read the whole sentence.

Put the Words in Order

Click the words to build the correct sentence. Click a placed word to remove it.

Answer the Questions

Write your own answers using the verb to be. Then click "Show Model Answer" to compare.