The most important verb in English. Mr. Gee explains why 'to be' is the spine of every English sentence, with stories from his classroom.
“If the 49 words yesterday were the bricks, the verb 'to be' is the cement that holds them together. We use 'to be' in almost every sentence. Today we make it your friend.”
Years ago, a new student walked into my class. She was nervous. I said, 'Hello, what is your name?' She said, 'My name... Maria.'
I smiled. I said, 'My name IS Maria.' She tried again: 'My name is Maria.' I said, 'I am Mr. Gee. You are Maria. She is my student.' I pointed at the wall. 'That is a clock. These are books.'
By the end of the lesson, Maria was making her own sentences. 'I am from Brazil. My brother is in Sao Paulo. My sisters are at school. We are tired today.'
That is all 'to be' is. A small word that connects you to a description: a name, a place, a feeling, a job, a thing. Once you have this, English starts to feel like a friend, not a stranger.
There are only three forms of 'to be' in the present tense: am, is, are.
I AM. (only with 'I')
He IS. She IS. It IS. (only with he, she, it, or one thing)
You ARE. We ARE. They ARE. (with you, we, they, or many things)
Memorise this small table. Once it lives in your head, you can describe anything.
To say something is NOT true, just add 'not' after 'to be'.
I am NOT tired. He is NOT my brother. They are NOT here.
In casual English, we shorten these: I'm not. He isn't. They aren't.
To ask a question with 'to be', just put the verb FIRST.
You are happy → Are you happy?
He is at home → Is he at home?
They are tired → Are they tired?
This is the easiest way to ask questions in English. We use it every day.
Click “Translate” below if you need any word in your own language.
First-person singular of 'to be'. Used only with 'I'.
I am happy.
Third-person singular of 'to be'. Used with he, she, it, or one thing.
She is my friend.
Plural and second-person of 'to be'. Used with you, we, they, or many things.
You are right.
Needing rest.
I am tired after work.
Feeling good.
She is happy today.
Wanting food.
The children are hungry.
In this place.
We are here.
In that place, not here.
My phone is over there.
In some languages, the verb 'to be' is not used the same way (e.g. Russian, Arabic, some others). If your language drops 'to be' in some sentences, remember: in English we ALWAYS use it. 'I tired' is wrong. 'I am tired' is right.
Try these on paper or out loud. Mr. Gee's rule: practice today, do not save it for tomorrow.
Three forms: am (I), is (he/she/it), are (you/we/they). Negative: add 'not'. Question: put the verb first. These are the most-used verbs in the English language.
Read aloud every day. Even if it sounds funny. Your tongue needs practice.
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