The verb “to be” is the backbone of English—it shows identity, states, descriptions, places, and so much more. If you can use this one verb correctly, your English becomes much more solid. This guide helps you understand the main forms of the verb “to be” in English, how it works, when to use it, and what mistakes learners often make.
Why “To Be” Is So Important
Because it appears constantly. Whether you’re introducing yourself, describing something, saying how you feel, talking about location or permanent vs temporary states—you’ll use some form of “to be”. Getting comfortable with it gives you confidence and clarity.
Forms of “To Be” in the Present Simple
Here is the basic present-simple usage of “to be” in English.
| Person | Form | Example |
| I | am | I am a teacher. |
| You (singular) | are | You are my friend. |
| He / She / It | is | She is happy. |
| We | are | We are students. |
| You (plural) | are | You are all very kind. |
| They | are | They are from Canada. |
Notice how “am”, “is”, “are” change depending on subject. One of the most common mistakes is mismatching them (e.g. “She are”, “They is”).
Past Simple of “To Be”
| Person | Form | Example |
| I / He / She / It | was | I was tired yesterday. |
| You / We / They | were | They were at the party. |
If you want to talk about a past state or condition, use these.
Uses of “To Be” and Why They Matter
Identity and Description
- “I am John.” (identity)
- “She is tall.” (description)
- “We are neighbours.” (relationship)
Location (with “in”, “on”, “at”)
- “The book is on the table.”
- “I am at the airport.”
- “They are in the car.”
Feelings, States and Conditions
- “We are excited.”
- “He is hungry.”
- “You are right.”
Profession or Role
- “She is a doctor.”
- “I am a student.”
Permanent vs Temporary
- Permanent (more stable): “He is American.”
- Temporary: “She is being very quiet today.” (different structure)
Negative Form and Questions
Negative Form
| Form | Example |
| I am not | I am not ready. |
| You are not / You aren’t | You are not late. |
| He / She / It is not / isn’t | He isn’t at home. |
| We / They are not / aren’t | They aren’t my friends. |
Questions (Subject-Verb Inversion)
| Form | Example |
| Am I? | Am I clear? |
| Are you? | Are you okay? |
| Is he/she/it? | Is she coming? |
| Are we/they? | Are they ready? |
Common Mistakes Learners Make
- Mixing forms: “He are very nice.” → “He is very nice.”
- Using “be” incorrectly: “I be happy.” → “I am happy.”
- Omitting “be” verb: “She a doctor.” → “She is a doctor.”
- Confusing “was/were”: “We was late.” → “We were late.”
- Using “is” with plural subjects: “They is…” → “They are…”
Practice Exercises
Rewrite into correct form:
- You __ a great friend.
- He __ at work yesterday.
- We __ not sure about the time.
- __ she ready for the meeting?
- I __ very excited about this.
Make questions:
- They are coming? → __________________?
- I am invited? → __________________?
Describe yourself or location:
Write two sentences about where you are now using “to be”.
Write two sentences about how you feel using “to be”.
Yak’s Final Chewables
Mastering the verb “to be” in English gives you a foundation so solid your English won’t wobble. Once you’re comfortable with am/is/are and was/were, you’ve unlocked a huge part of the language. Practice making sentences every day, check your forms when you speak, and soon your English will flow with confidence. Even a yak knows when it says “I am ready”—and so should you.