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Teacher cue
A1 · English Grammar

Simple Present:
To Be

I am a student. She is from Brazil.

am is are
The forms

Am, is or are?

I
am
I am a student. (I'm)
he / she / it
is
She is from Brazil. (She's)
you / we / they
are
They are very friendly. (They're)
The forms

Positive, negative and question

Positive

I am a doctor.
She is ready.
They are late.

Negative

I am not tired.
He isn't here.
We aren't late.

Question

Am I late?
Is she your teacher?
Are you ready?

Wh- questions: Where are they from? · What is your name?

What can it describe?

To be describes almost everything.

Jobs & roles

She is a nurse. They are teachers.

Feelings & states

I am tired. It is cold today.

Origin & nationality

We are from Brazil. He is Italian.

In real sentences

See it in action

I am a student. My teacher is very kind.
We aren't late — we are five minutes early!
Is she your teacher? — Yes, she is.
Where are they from? — They are from Argentina.
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

They is happy.

They are happy.

He are my friend.

He is my friend.

She is a doctor? (as a question)

Is she a doctor?

I not am tired.

I am not tired.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Am, is or are?

I(be)a student at this school.
She(be)from Brazil — she's Brazilian.
We(be / not)late — we're five minutes early!
(be)it cold outside today?
They(be)very friendly people.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

My best friend isA from Brazil andB her parents isC both teachers atD a private school.

Cis → are

✓ plural subject → are

The new students areA in the library becauseB the classroom isC cold, but the teacher aren'tD there yet.

Daren't → isn't

✓ singular subject → isn't

My brother isA a doctor andB there isC many patients in hisD waiting room this morning.

Cthere is → there are

✓ plural noun → there are

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

I am a student.
Are you ready?
She isn't from here —
Where are they from?
Speak & write

Your turn

Answer using am, is or are.

Who are you? Tell me your name, nationality and job / role.
How are you feeling right now? Why?
Describe the person next to you using three sentences with is / isn't.
Ask me three yes/no questions using am, is or are.
Recap

Remember this

I
am / am not
he / she / it
is / isn't
you / we / they
are / aren't
Questions
Is/Are + subject?

To be describes who we are, how we feel, and where we're from.

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