The document discusses the many uses of the verb "to be" in English. It is used to talk about permanent or temporary qualities, locations, identities, ages, times, dates, behaviors, and personalities. There are also modal expressions using "be" like "be able to" and "be supposed to". Additionally, "be" is one of three auxiliary verbs in English and is used to form the continuous tense and passive voice.

1. Verb to be
The child can see the uses the verb to be
easily.

2. Uses
We use be to talk about permanent or temporary qualities or states:
He’s very rich.
My father is old now.
The weather was terrible.
The food is so good in Italy.
Her house is on the edge of the lake.
The shops are at the of the street.
We can use be to refer to where places and things are situated:

3. We use be to talk about our nationality and our identity within groups or clubs:
Is she Irish or English?
I am an Arsenal fan.
He’s been a member of the rowing club for twenty years.
We use be to talk about age:
I was seventeen when I met Bob.
Because I wasn’t eighteen, I couldn’t vote in the last election.
How old is she?

4. We use be to talk about time and dates:
What time is it?
The match was at seven o’clock.
We are always late!
The meeting is on the fifth of October.
We can use be to talk about behaviour and personality:
He was always gentle.
Is she nice?
The children can be rough with the new puppy.

5. Modal expressions with be
There are a number of expressions with be which have modal meanings, for example, be
to, be able to, be allowed to, be supposed to:
Will Martin be able to get everyone in his car?
We were supposed to get there an hour ago.

6. Be as an auxiliary verb
Be is one of three auxiliary verbs in English: be, do and have. We use be to make the continuous form
and the passive voice:
I’m reading a book about the Titanic at the moment. (continuous)
What was she doing in France? (continuous)
The job was advertised last week. (passive)
The house was being painted. (continuous and passive).