Present simple forms of ‘to be’

Present simple forms of ‘to be’ – am/is/are

The present simple Forms of ‘to be’ is used to describe permanent or general truths, habits, routines, and characteristics about people, places, and things.

I am (first person singular)
You are (second person singular and plural)
He/She/It is (third person singular)
We are (first person plural)
They are (third person plural)

Examples: –

I am a student.
You are very kind.
He/She/ is a good person.
It is an adorable cat.
We are from India.
They are my friends.
She is Indian.
We are French.

I he, she, it	am am not is is not	’m ’m not ’s isn’t	Student
we, you, they	are	– ’re – are not – aren’t / ’re not
Am Is Are	I he, she, it we, you, they		– Player

Present simple forms of ‘to be’ – am/is/are used –

1. “Am“- Used with the subject “I”.

Example: I am happy.

I am a programmer.

I am excited.

I am a teacher.

2. “Is“- Used with singular third-person subjects (he, she, it).

Example: He is lawyer.

She is a doctor.

It is cold outside.

Read also: Worksheets Present Simple tense

3. “Are“- Used with plural subjects (we, you, they) and with you (singular or plural).

Example: We are friends.

They are students.

You are Intelligent.

Structure of Present Simple Forms of “To Be”-

Affirmative Form: These sentences state facts or describe people, places, or things.

Subject + am/is/are + Subject Complement

Examples:

I am a Scientist.
I am a student.
She is a doctor.
He is very tall.
It is a beautiful day.
You are my best friend.
We are in the same class.
They are at the park.

Present simple forms

1. Affirmative Sentences (Positive Statements)

These sentences state facts or describe people, places, or things.

I am a student.
She is a doctor.
He is very tall.
It is a beautiful day.
You are my best friend.
We are in the same class.
They are at the park.

2. Negative Sentences:

To make a sentence negative, add “not” after am, is, or are.

Subject + am/is/are + not + Subject Complement

Examples:

I am not a doctor.
I am not hungry.
She is not at home.
He is not a teacher.
It is not cold today.
You are not late.
We are not ready.
They are not in the house.

Read also: Day 15: Present simple –Do/Does?

Present simple forms

3. Questions (Interrogative Sentences)

To ask a question, put am, is, or are before the subject.

Yes/No Question Form: Am/Is/Are + subject + Subject Complement?

Examples:

Am I a good singer?
Am I right?
Is she your sister?
Is he a good player?
Is it your book?
Are you ready?
Are we late?
Are they in the garden?

Short Answers

When answering yes/no questions, we use “Yes” or “No” with “to be.”

Is she your friend? → Yes, she is. / No, she isn’t.
Are they at school? → Yes, they are. / No, they aren’t.
Am I correct? → Yes, you are. / No, you aren’t.

Informative or Wh-Question Form: Wh-word + am/is/are + subject + Subject Complement?

Examples:

What am I?
Who is he?
Who are they?
What is your father?
Where is the English book?
Where is your sister?
What is your nationality?
Where are you from?
What is your profession?
Where is the Taj Mahal?

Short forms (contractions):

I am – I’m
You are – You’re
He/She/It is – He’s/She’s/It’s
We are – We’re
They are – They’re

Negative Contractions-

I am not – I’m not
You are not – You’re not
He/She/It is not – He’s not/She’s not/It’s not
We are not – We’re not
They are not – They’re not

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