This document provides examples and explanations of using the verb "to be" in English. It lists the affirmative, negative, and question forms of "to be" for the different subjects. It then gives examples of using "to be" with descriptions, conditions, occupations, locations, ages, nationalities and other identifying information. Finally, it provides practice questions for the reader to identify whether sentences using "to be" are true or false.

1. THE VERB “TO BE”THE VERB “TO BE”
Affirmative
Long form Short form
I am I’m
You are You’re
He is He’s
She is She’s
It is It’s
We are We’re
You are You’re
They are They’re

2. Negative
Long form Short form
I am not I’m not
You are not You aren’t
He is not He isn’t
She is not She isn’t
It is not It isn’t
We are not We aren’t
You are not You aren’t
They are not They aren’t
THE VERB “TO BE”

3. THE VERB “TO BE”
Question
Am I?
Are you?
Is he?
Is she?
Is it?
Are we?
Are you?
Are they?

4. THE VERB “TO BE”
TimeIt is 6 o’clock.
WeatherIt is hot in Puerto Rico.
AgeI am 25 years old.
Place of originWe are from Mexico.
LocationIzmir is in the West.
Classification or definitionAnkara is the capital of Turkey.
DescriptionIstanbul is beautiful.
Uses of BeExamples

5. “BE” WITH DESCRIPTIONS
Language Notes
1. We use a form of be with words that describe the subject.
We use adjectives to describe. Descriptive adjectives have no
plural form.
New York and Chicago are big.
New York is big.

6. 2. Some words that end with –ed or –ing are adjectives: married;
tired; interesting; boring.
He’s worried about you. We’re tired. New York City is interesting.
Language Notes
“BE” WITH DESCRIPTIONS

7. “BE” WITH DESCRIPTIONS
Language Notes
3. We use a form of be with a physical or mental condition.
He’s hungry. It is thirsty. We’re afraid.They’re angry.

8. THE VERB “TO BE”
............... a postman. ............... doctors .............. a catHe is They are It is

9. THE VERB “TO BE”
............... a hairdresser
............... a singer
............... a bakerShe is
He is
He is

10. THE VERB “TO BE”
............... a tennis ball. ............... brushesIt is They are

11. THE VERB “TO BE”

12. THE VERB “TO BE”

13. THE VERB “TO BE”

14. THE VERB “TO BE”
0. New York / in the U.S.A. / ? (Yes)
.........Is New York in the U.S.A.?.............
.........Yes, it is.......................

15. THE VERB “TO BE”
1. You / nurses / ? – Yes
2. you / an artist / ? – Yes

16. THE VERB “TO BE”
3 bike / new / ? – No / old
4. the dog / hungry / ? – Yes .
.
.
.

17. THE VERB “TO BE”
5. Tina / thirteen years old / ?
No / fourteen years old
6 Peter and Karen / in Paris now / ? – No / Rome
.
.
.
.

18. THE VERB “TO BE”
....... Ann from Italy?
...................................... from the USA.
.................... boots?
..................................................... shoes.are

19. THE VERB “TO BE”
............. a desk?
........................................ a blackboard.
........ your favourite subject maths?
.......................................... Art.

20. THE VERB “TO BE”
..................... rabbits?
......................... cats.
....... Los Angeles in the north-east of the USA?
................................ in the south–west of
the USA.

21. THE VERB “TO BE”
7. Su-Ling / China
an actress
26 years old

22. THE VERB “TO BE”
8. Susan and Sally / England
teachers
33 years old
.

23. THE VERB “TO BE”
9. Bill / the U.S.A.
an artist
30 years old
.

24. THE VERB “TO BE”
10. Tom / from China / ? – No / England

25. ORIGINAL IDEA FROM JUAN CARLOS
BURGOS