Grammar chart

Forms:

• The present simple of the verb BE has three forms:

I am.

He/She/It is.

We/You/They are.

• We use he for a man, she for a woman, and it for a thing, and an animal.

For example:     

He‘s a cool boy. 

She‘s so pretty. 

I like this TV. It‘s so modern. 

It’s a big dog.

• We use they for people and for things.

For example:     

I love John and Anna. They are my friends.

I love these books. They are very interesting.

Contractions

• Contractions or short forms in positive sentences

In spoken/informal English use short forms  ‘m, ‘s and ‘re with personal pronouns (I, you, we, they, he, she, it)

I am = I’m sad.

You are = You’re tired.

She is = She’s from Scotland.

But we can also use the short form ‘s with names.

Laura’s beautiful.

London’s an expensive city. 

• Contractions or short forms in negative sentences

I am not = I’m not sad.

You are not  = You’re not = You aren’t tired.

She is not = She’s not = She isn’t from Scotland.

But we can also use the short form ‘s with names.

Laura’s not beautiful.

London’s not a cheap city. 

• Contractions in short answers

We can only use contractions or full forms in negative short answers, and only full form in positive short answers.

Are you tired? Yes, I am.

                       No, I am not/ I’m not.

Is she a doctor? Yes, she is. 

                         No, she is not/she’s not/she isn’t.

Are they friends? Yes, they are. 

                           No, they are not/they’re not/they aren’t.

Yes/no & Wh-questions

What can we talk about with the verb BE?

• We use the verb be to discuss the following:

Different people and about us: I‘m Valerie, and this is Vadym. And this is Alicia.

Age: I‘m 24 years old, and she is 26. 

Talk about the job/occupation : I‘m a teacher, and my mom is a doctor. 

Nationality: Ann is from Britain, and Janes is from the USA.

Feelings: I‘m so happy. She is very excited. 

Colour: The house is black. His eyes are blue.

Prices: It‘s 5 dollars. This dress is 10 dollars.  

The weather: It‘s sunny every day. It is very cold and cloudy this morning. 

The time: What time is it? It‘s ten thirty. 

Descriptions in general: She is very slim and good-looking. They are very kind. The buildings are old and high. 

Key Ideas:

• We always need a verb (an action) in an English sentence. If you don’t have a verb (an action), use the verb BE (am, is, are).

For example:              

I am a specialist. (NOT I a specialist)                                               

He is a teacher. (NOT He a teacher)                                                 

She is my friend. (NOT She my friend)                                         

They are nice people. (NOT They nice people)

• Keep in mind that some words that are verbs in Ukrainian, aren’t verbs in English.

For example:   

• Be tired – втомитися – уставать / устать

• Be ready – бути готовим – быть готовым

• Be proud (of) – пишатися – гордиться

• Be bored – нудьгувати – скучать

• Be nervous – нервувати – нервничать

• Be excited – бути схвильованим / радісно збудженим – волноваться / быть в восторге

• Be disappointed – розчаруватися – разочароваться

• Be worried – хвилюватися – беспокоиться

• Be surprised – дивуватися – удивляться

• Be confused – бути розгубленим – путаться / быть в замешательстве

• Be embarrassed – ніяковіти – смущаться

• Be satisfied – бути задоволеним – быть довольным

• But if you have a verb (action), don’t use verb BE if you talk about a general situation.  

For example:   

I agree (NOT I am agree).

I go to work every day (NOT I am go to work).

He likes coffee (NOT He is like coffee).

Verb BE Speaking Practice

Verb BE Practice

Test English A1 verb be

Present Simple verb be – a lot of tasks