Grammar reference about the structure and use of the verb to be.

2. Structure
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Full
Form
Short Form Full Form Short Form
I am I’m I am not I’m not
You are You’re You are not You aren’t
He is He’s He is not He isn’t
She is She’s She is not She isn’t
It is It's It is not It isn’t
We are We’re We are not We aren’t
They are They’re They are not They aren’t

3. QUESTIONS SHORT ANSWERS
Am I…? Yes, I am. No, I’m not.
Are you…? Yes, You are. No, You aren’t.
Is he…? Yes, He is. No, He isn’t.
Is she…? Yes, She is. No, She isn’t.
Is it…? Yes, It is. No, It isn’t.
Are we…? Yes, We are. No, We aren’t.
Are they…? Yes, They are. No, They aren’t.
Structure

4. Contractions
Use short forms in spoken English and when
writing a dialogue, message, notes, card and
informal letters.
Don’t shorten the expression “This is”.
This is my web page NOT This’s my web page

5. Use the verb be:
With age:
Carlos is forty.
I am six.

6. Use the verb be:
With an adjective:
You are right.
It is easy.

7. Use the verb be:
With nationality:
They are Turkish.
We’re American.

8. Use the verb be:
With jobs:
Jim is a dentist.
Tony and Jill are
teachers.

9. References
H.Q., M. (2009). Traveller Elementary. USA: MM Publications.
Hobbs, M., & Starr Keddle, J. (2011). For Real Elementary. UK:
Helbling Languages.
Murphy, R. (2004). Grammar in Use. UK: Cambridge University
Press.
Vince, M. (2010). Elementary Language Practice English
Grammar and Vocabulary (3rd ed.). UK: Macmillan Education.