Grammar Explanation
In the Present Simple, the verb “be” has three main forms:
- am (used with the subject “I”)
- is (used with singular third-person subjects: “he,” “she,” “it,”)
- are (used with “you,” “we,” “they,” or plural nouns)
Examples:
- I am a teacher.
- He is tall.
- They are friends.
When to Use the Present Simple of “Be”
- Facts and General Truths: “She is a doctor.”
- Descriptions: “They are very polite.”
- States or Conditions: “I am tired today.”
- Identity and Nationality: “We are from Spain.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with am, is, or are.
1. I
very happy today.
2. She
my best friend.
3. You
always so kind.
4. He
from Australia.
5. They
at the library right now.
Negative Sentences with the Verb “Be” (Present Simple)
How to Form a Negative Statement
Subject + am/is/are + not + the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
- I am not tired.
- She is not (isn’t) at home.
- They are not (aren’t) busy.
You can also use contractions (short forms) for the negative:
- am not → no contraction with “am” (it stays “am not”)
- is not → isn’t
- are not → aren’t
Negative Sentences: Practice Exercises
Use am not, is not (isn’t), or are not (aren’t) to complete the sentences.
1. I
ready for the test.
2. She
my neighbor anymore.
3. They
interested in the movie.
4. He
a big fan of pop music.
5. We
late to the party.
Questions & Short Answers with the Verb “Be”
How to Form Questions
Place am/is/are before the subject + the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
- Am I on time?
- Is she hungry?
- Are they at home?
Short Answers
To give a short answer, repeat am/is/are + the subject (if needed), often in a contracted or full form.
- Am I on time? – Yes, you are. / No, you aren’t.
- Is she hungry? – Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.
Questions & Short Answers: Practice Exercises
Form questions using am/is/are and give a short answer in parentheses (Yes/No).
Example:
You / happy? (Yes) → Question: Are you happy? Answer: Yes, I am.
1. She / in the garden? (No)
2. They / from Canada? (Yes)
3. You / ready to go? (No)
4. He / a doctor? (Yes)
5. We / too late? (No)