This document provides an introduction to using the verb "be" in English, including its forms, uses, contractions, negatives, and questions. It begins with sample conversations using the present tense of "be" in statements and yes/no questions. Several sections then cover the different uses of "be" with nouns, adjectives, and prepositional phrases. Examples are given for forming contractions with "be", negatives using "not" and contractions, questions using subject-verb inversion, and short affirmative/negative answers to yes/no questions. Practice exercises throughout have the reader form contractions, negatives, and questions based on example statements. The document aims to teach foundational grammar concepts around the verb "be".

1. Focus on Grammar 2
Part I, Units 1 and 2
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
1
Introductions
The Present of Be:
Statements and
Yes/No Questions

2. Conversation
Tom: Are you a new student here?
Lea: Yes, I am. My name is Lea.
Tom: My name’s Tom Sanchez.
Lea: Oh, I think I know your mother. She’s Marta
Sanchez, right?
Tom: Uh, Marta Sanchez isn’t my mother. She’s my
sister.
Lea: Oh.

3. Form
Subject Be
I
you
he
she
it
we
they
are
am
is
are

4. Use of the Verb Be 1
He is a photographer.
I am
They are
??
?
a firefighter.
aliens.
We use the verb be before. . . NOUNS.

5. Use of the Verb Be 2
He is afraid.
I am
hungry.
busy.
It is
We use the verb be before. . . ADJECTIVES.

6. Use of the Verb Be 3
She is in the shower.
She is
He is
from Japan.
under the bed.
We use the verb be before. . . PREPOSITIONAL
PHRASES.

7. In a contraction, an apostrophe (’)
replaces a letter.
Contractions
I a student.am’m
Sam from China.is’s
They excited.are’re
I’m a student.
Sam’s from China.
They’re excited.

8. Talk with a partner about
these pictures. Use the verb
be and contractions.
Practice 1
He’s shocked. She’s upset.
It’s in the air.They’re painters.
1.
2. 3.
in the air upset painters shocked
Example:

9. Negatives  Not
Subject + Be
+ Not
Contraction
I’m not
you’re not
he’s not
she’s not
it’s not
we’re not
they’re not
you aren’t
X
he isn’t
we aren’t
she isn’t
it isn’t
they aren’t
is notn’t
are notn’t
are notn’t

10. Make negative
contractions for these
sentences.
Practice 2
Example:
1.
2.
3.
He is happy. He’s not happy. He isn’t happy.
They are
teachers.
They’re not
teachers.
They aren’t
teachers.
We are single.
We’re not
single.
We aren’t
single.
I am from the
U.S.
I’m not from
the U.S. X
Answer 1 Answer 2

11. Are theyThey
Questions
at schoolisIs sheShe .?
youngare .?
The verb be comes before the subject
in questions.

12. Change the statements
into questions.Practice 3
Example: She is a teacher.
Is she a teacher?
1. Sam and Lisa are in class.
2. He is late.
3. I am busy.
Are Sam and Lisa in class?
Is he late?
Am I busy?

13. Yes,Yes, I’m.
Don’t use contractions in affirmative
short answers.
Be Careful!
Are you
new here?
I am.

14. Practice 4
Talk with a partner about
these pictures. Use the verb
be and contractions.
Yes, he is.
No, you aren’t.
Am I at the right house?1.
Are they in love?2.
No, they aren’t.
Is he late?3.
Yes, it is.
Example: Is it broken?

15. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education
and its licensors. All rights reserved.