The English language, with its rich vocabulary and complex grammar, offers a myriad of ways to express our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. At the heart of this linguistic tapestry is the verb “to be”, a seemingly simple word that holds immense versatility and power.
In this article, we will embark on a journey to explore the multifaceted nature of “to be”.
Join us as we unravel the intricacies of “to be”, and discover how this humble verb can transform the way we communicate in English.
NOUNS AND “TO BE”
The verb “to be” is one of the most commonly used verbs in the English language. It’s used to indicate a state of being or existence. When it comes to pairing it with nouns, the verb changes form depending on whether the noun is singular or plural.
Present Tense
Singular Nouns
When a singular noun is the subject, we use “is”.
For example:
- The cat is black.
- My friend is kind.
- The book is on the table.
In these examples, “cat”, “friend”, and “book” are singular nouns, so we use “is”.
Plural Nouns
When a plural noun is the subject, we use “are”.
For example:
- The cats are black.
- My friends are kind.
- The books are on the table.
In these examples, “cats”, “friends”, and “books” are plural nouns, so we use “are”.
Past Tense
Singular Nouns
When a singular noun is the subject, we use “was” in the past tense. For example:
- The cat was black.
- My friend was kind.
- The book was on the table. In these examples, “cat”, “friend”, and “book” are singular nouns, so we use “was”.
Plural Nouns
When a plural noun is the subject, we use “were” in the past tense. For example:
- The cats were black.
- My friends were kind.
- The books were on the table.
In these examples, “cats”, “friends”, and “books” are plural nouns, so we use “were”.
Understanding the correct usage of the verb “to be” with singular and plural nouns is fundamental to mastering English grammar. It helps ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct, which in turn makes your communication clear and effective.
PAIRING PRONOUNS WITH “TO BE”
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns in a sentence. They can be subjects or objects in a sentence. When pronouns are the subject, they pair with the verb “to be” in a specific way.
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
Singular pronouns include “I”, “you”, “he”, “she”, and “it”. Here’s how they pair with “to be”:
- I am: This is used when the speaker is the subject. For example, “I am happy.”
- You are: This is used when the person being spoken to is the subject. For example, “You are happy.”
- He/She/It is: These are used when the subject is a third person singular pronoun. For example, “He is happy”, “She is happy”, “It is red.”
Plural Pronouns
Plural pronouns include “we”, “you”, and “they”. Here’s how they pair with “to be”:
- We are: This is used when the speaker and at least one other person are the subject. For example, “We are happy.”
- You are: This is used when the people being spoken to are the subject. For example, “You are happy.”
- They are: This is used when the subject is a third person plural pronoun. For example, “They are happy.”
Past Tense
Singular Pronouns
Singular pronouns include “I”, “you”, “he”, “she”, and “it”. Here’s how they pair with “to be” in the past tense:
- I was: This is used when the speaker is the subject. For example, “I was happy.”
- You were: This is used when the person being spoken to is the subject. For example, “You were happy.”
- He/She/It was: These are used when the subject is a third person singular pronoun. For example, “He was happy”, “She was happy”, “It was red.”
Plural Pronouns
Plural pronouns include “we”, “you”, and “they”. Here’s how they pair with “to be” in the past tense:
- We were: This is used when the speaker and at least one other person are the subject. For example, “We were happy.”
- You were: This is used when the people being spoken to are the subject. For example, “You were happy.”
- They were: This is used when the subject is a third person plural pronoun. For example, “They were happy.”
Understanding how pronouns pair with the verb “to be” is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences. It allows for clear and effective communication in English.
THE ART OF CONTRACTION WITH “TO BE”
Contractions are a staple of English language, often used in informal speech and writing. They involve combining two words into one, usually by omitting one or more letters. The verb “to be” frequently appears in contractions. Here’s how:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I am becomes I’m. For example, “I’m happy.”
- You are becomes You’re. For example, “You’re happy.”
- He is, She is, and It is become He’s, She’s, and It’s respectively. For example, “He’s happy”, “She’s happy”, “It’s red.”
Plural Pronouns
- We are becomes We’re. For example, “We’re happy.”
- You are becomes You’re. For example, “You’re happy.”
- They are becomes They’re. For example, “They’re happy.”
Past Tense
- Singular Pronouns: I was (no contraction), You were not-> You weren’t, He/She/It was not-> He/She/It wasn’t
- Plural Pronouns: We were not-> We weren’t, You were not-> You weren’t, They were not-> They weren’t
Contractions make language more fluid and natural. However, they’re often avoided in formal writing.
EXPRESSING NEGATION WITH “TO BE”
Negation in English is commonly expressed by adding the word “not” after the verb. When using the verb “to be”, the structure is as follows:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I am not. For example, “I am not happy.”
- You are not or You aren’t. For example, “You are not happy” or “You aren’t happy.”
- He is not, She is not, It is not or He isn’t, She isn’t, It isn’t. For example, “He is not happy”, “She isn’t happy”, “It is not red.”
Plural Pronouns
- We are not or We aren’t. For example, “We are not happy” or “We aren’t happy.”
- You are not or You aren’t. For example, “You are not happy” or “You aren’t happy.”
- They are not or They aren’t. For example, “They are not happy” or “They aren’t happy.”
Past Tense
- Singular Pronouns: I was not, You were not, He/She/It was not
- Plural Pronouns: We were not, You were not, They were not
Using negation correctly with the verb “to be” allows you to express the opposite of a statement, which is essential for clear and effective communication.
In the next section, we’ll discuss how to use “to be” with adjectives.
DESCRIBING WITH “TO BE”
The verb “to be” is often used with adjectives to describe the subject of a sentence. This is a common structure in English. Here’s how it works:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I am + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “I am happy”, “I am a teacher”, “I am in the park”, “I am always ready”, “I am running”.
- You are + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “You are happy”, “You are a teacher”, “You are in the park”, “You are always ready”, “You are running”.
- He/She/It is + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “He is happy”, “She is a teacher”, “It is in the park”, “He is always ready”, “She is running”.
Plural Pronouns
- We are + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “We are happy”, “We are teachers”, “We are in the park”, “We are always ready”, “We are running”.
- You are + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “You are happy”, “You are teachers”, “You are in the park”, “You are always ready”, “You are running”.
- They are + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “They are happy”, “They are teachers”, “They are in the park”, “They are always ready”, “They are running”.
Past Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I was + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “I was happy”, “I was a teacher”, “I was in the park”, “I was always ready”, “I was running”.
- You were + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “You were happy”, “You were a teacher”, “You were in the park”, “You were always ready”, “You were running”.
- He/She/It was + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “He was happy”, “She was a teacher”, “It was in the park”, “He was always ready”, “She was running”.
Plural Pronouns
- We were + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “We were happy”, “We were teachers”, “We were in the park”, “We were always ready”, “We were running”.
- You were + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “You were happy”, “You were teachers”, “You were in the park”, “You were always ready”, “You were running”.
- They were + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “They were happy”, “They were teachers”, “They were in the park”, “They were always ready”, “They were running”.
Using “to be” with adjectives allows you to describe the state, qualities, or characteristics of the subject, making your sentences more informative and expressive.
LOCATING WITH “TO BE”
The verb “to be” is often used to indicate the location of something or someone. Here’s how it works:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I am + place. For example, “I am at home.”
- You are + place. For example, “You are in the park.”
- He/She/It is + place. For example, “He is at school”, “She is in the library”, “It is on the table.”
Plural Pronouns
- We are + place. For example, “We are at the beach.”
- You are + place. For example, “You are in the classroom.”
- They are + place. For example, “They are in New York.”
Past Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I was home.
- You were in the park.
- It was on the table.
Plural Pronouns
- We were upstairs.
- You were outside.
- They were home.
Using “to be” to indicate a place allows you to specify the location of the subject, adding more context and information to your sentences.
CRAFTING YES/NO QUESTIONS WITH “TO BE”
Yes/No questions are inquiries that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. When crafting these types of questions with the verb “to be”, the verb usually comes before the subject. Here’s how it works:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- Am I + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Am I right?” or “Am I the winner?” or “Am I in the park?” or “Am I always late?” or “Am I sitting?”
- Are you + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Are you happy?” or “Are you the winner?” or “Are you in the park?” or “Are you always late?” or “Are you sitting?”
- Is he/she/it + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Is he happy?” or “Is he the winner?” or “Is it in the park?” or “Is he always late?” or “Is it broken?”
Plural Pronouns
- Are we + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Are we ready?” or “Are we the winners?” or “Are we in the park?” or “Are we always late?” or “Are we sitting?”
- Are you + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Are you ready?” or “Are you the winners?” or “Are you in the park?” or “Are you always late?” or “Are you sitting?”
- Are they + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Are they ready?” or “Are they the winners?” or “Are they in the park?” or “Are they always late?” or “Are they sitting?”
Past Tense
Singular Pronouns
- Was I + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Was I right?” or “Was I the winner?” or “Was I in the park?” or “Was I always late?” or “Was I sitting?”
- Were you + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Were you happy?” or “Were you the winner?” or “Were you in the park?” or “Were you always late?” or “Were you sitting?”
- Was he/she/it + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Was he happy?” or “Was he the winner?” or “Was it in the park?” or “Was he always late?” or “Was it broken?”
Plural Pronouns
- Were we + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Were we ready?” or “Were we the winners?” or “Were we in the park?” or “Were we always late?” or “Were we sitting?”
- Were you + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Were you ready?” or “Were you the winners?” or “Were you in the park?” or “Were you always late?” or “Were you sitting?”
- Were they + adjective/noun/prepositional phrase/adverb/participle. For example, “Were they ready?” or “Were they the winners?” or “Were they in the park?” or “Were they always late?” or “Were they sitting?”
Crafting yes/no questions correctly with “to be” allows you to ask about the state, qualities, characteristics, or location of the subject.
RESPONDING TO YES/NO QUESTIONS WITH “TO BE”
Responding to yes/no questions involves inverting the verb “to be” and the subject. Here’s how it works:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I am / I’m not. For example, in response to “Are you ok?” you could say, “Yes, I am” or “No, I’m not”.
- You are / You aren’t. For example, in response to “Am I late?” you could say, “Yes, you are” or “No, you aren’t”.
- He is / He isn’t, She is / She isn’t, It is / It isn’t. For example, in response to “Is he happy?” you could say, “Yes, he is” or “No, he isn’t”.
Plural Pronouns
- We are / We aren’t. For example, in response to “Are we ready?” you could say, “Yes, we are” or “No, we aren’t”.
- You are / You aren’t. For example, in response to “Are we ready?” you could say, “Yes, you are” or “No, you aren’t”.
- They are / They aren’t. For example, in response to “Are they ready?” you could say “Yes, they are” or “No, they aren’t”.
Past Tense
Singular Pronouns
- I was / I wasn’t. For example, in response to “Were you ok?” you could say, “Yes, I was” or “No, I wasn’t”.
- You were / You weren’t. For example, in response to “Was I late?” you could say, “Yes, you were” or “No, you weren’t”.
- He was / He wasn’t, She was / She wasn’t, It was / It wasn’t. For example, in response to “Was he happy?” you could say, “Yes, he was” or “No, he wasn’t”.
Plural Pronouns
- We were / We weren’t. For example, in response to “Were we ready?” you could say, “Yes, we were” or “No, we weren’t”.
- You were / You weren’t. For example, in response to “Were you ready?” you could say, “Yes, we were” or “No, we weren’t”.
- They were / They weren’t. For example, in response to “Were they ready?” you could say, “Yes, they were” or “No, they weren’t”.
Responding correctly to yes/no questions with “to be” allows you to confirm or deny the state, qualities, characteristics, or location of the subject.
FORMULATING WH- QUESTIONS WITH TO BE
Forming WH-questions (questions that begin with who, what, where, when, why, how) with “to be” involves combining the WH-word with the appropriate form of the verb “to be.” Here’s a guide on how to create WH-questions using “to be”:
Present Tense
Singular Pronouns
- Start with the WH-word (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Follow with the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are).
- End with the rest of the sentence or the information you’re seeking.
For example:
- “Where is he going?”
- “What is she doing?”
- “Why am I here?”
- “Where are you?” (addressing one person)
Plural Pronouns
- Start with the WH-word (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Follow with the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (are).
- End with the rest of the sentence or the information you’re seeking.
For example:
- “Where are we going?”
- “What are they doing?”
- “Why are you here?” (addressing more than one person)
Past Tense
Singular Pronouns
- Start with the WH-word (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Follow with the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (was).
- End with the rest of the sentence or the information you’re seeking.
For example:
- “Where was he yesterday?”
- “What was she doing last night?”
- “Why was I there?”
Plural Pronouns
- Start with the WH-word (who, what, where, when, why, how).
- Follow with the appropriate form of the verb “to be” (were).
- End with the rest of the sentence or the information you’re seeking.
For example:
- “Where were we yesterday?”
- “What were they doing last night?”
- “Why were you there?”
Negative WH-Questions:
- To ask about negative information, use the negative form of “to be” with the WH-word.
- Statement: They are happy.
- WH-Question: Why aren’t they happy?
DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES AND THE VERB “TO BE”
Demonstrative adjectives are used to specify and distinguish an object or person in relation to the proximity of the speaker. They are “this”, “that”, “these”, and “those”. “This” and “these” refer to items close to the speaker, while “that” and “those” refer to items further away.
Present tense
Here’s how you would use demonstrative adjectives with the verb “to be” in the present tense:
Affirmative Sentences:
- This is a book.
- That is a pen.
- These are apples.
- Those are oranges
Negative Sentences:
- This is not a book.
- That is not a pen.
- These are not apples.
- Those are not oranges.
Interrogative Sentences:
- Is this a book?
- Is that a pen?
- Are these apples?
- Are those oranges?
Past tense
Here’s how you would use demonstrative adjectives with the verb “to be” in the past tense:
Affirmative Sentences:
- This was my home.
- That was your seat.
- These were our bags.
- Those were their cars.
Negative Sentences:
- This was not my home.
- That was not your seat.
- These were not our bags.
- Those were not their cars.
Interrogative Sentences:
- Was this my home?
- Was that your seat?
- Were these our bags?
- Were those their cars?
“Was” is used with singular pronouns (this, that) and “were” is used with plural pronouns (these, those).
FREQUENCY ADVERBS WITH THE VERB “TO BE”
Frequency Adverbs are words that describe how often something happens. They include words like always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never.
When using frequency adverbs with the verb “to be”, the adverb typically comes after the verb. Here are some examples:
- Always: This adverb indicates that something happens all the time. For example, “I am always happy to help.”
- Usually: This adverb suggests that something happens most of the time. For example, “They are usually at home in the evenings.”
- Often: This adverb indicates that something happens frequently, but not all the time. For example, “He is often late for meetings.”
- Sometimes: This adverb suggests that something happens occasionally, but not always. For example, “We are sometimes too busy to take a break.”
- Rarely: This adverb indicates that something hardly ever happens. For example, “She is rarely absent from work.”
- Never: This adverb suggests that something does not happen at any time. For example, “It is never too late to start.”
When using frequency adverbs with “to be”, the adverb typically comes after the verb. This structure applies to both simple present and simple past tenses. It’s a fundamental skill in English grammar that enables clear and effective communication.
ACTIVITIES
The following activities are meant to be carried out with ESL/EFL students in an in-person or virtual learning context.
ACTIVITY 1: DIALOGUE
Listen to the dialogue between John and Sarah. Read it with a peer. Then, answer the questions provided below.
Sarah: Hi, John! How are you today?
John: I’m good, thanks. I am usually in a good mood in the morning. How about you?
Sarah: I’m doing well too. I am not tired today. The coffee is strong!
John: That’s great! By the way, have you seen my keys? I am usually forgetful.
Sarah: Oh no, not again! Where were you last? They might be on the table.
John: No, they are not on the table. But wait, here they are, under the newspaper. I am always misplacing things.
Sarah: It happens to the best of us! By the way, is your sister coming to the party tonight?
John: No, she is not. She is busy with work. But, hey, you’re coming, right?
Sarah: Yes, I am! Is it at your place?
John: No, it is not. It’s at Tom’s house. He is our friend from college.
Sarah: That’s right! I am looking forward to it. Hey, have you heard about the new movie?
John: Yeah, I have. It is supposed to be really interesting. Let’s go watch it this weekend.
Sarah: Absolutely! I am always up for a good movie. Oh, and don’t forget, we are meeting at 7:00.
John: Got it! I’m usually on time, so no worries.
Sarah: Perfect! See you then!
John: See you!
Answer the following questions based on the dialogue above:
- Why is Sarah not tired today?
- Where are John’s keys?
- Is John’s sister coming to the party?
- Is John coming to the party?
- Where is the party?
ACTIVITY 2: COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH “TO BE”
Instructions: In this activity, you will practice using the verb “to be” in different contexts. Complete each sentence using the appropriate form of “to be” based on the given aspects.
- The cat _____ black (Singular noun)
- They _____ at the park (Pronoun pairing)
- She _____ a great singer (Contractions)
- I _____ interested in joining the club (Negation)
- The coffee _____ hot (Describing with an adjective)
- The keys _____ on the table (Locating)
- _____ your sister coming to the party? (Crafting a Yes/No question)
- Are you coming to the movie tonight? Yes, I _______ (Responding to a Yes/No question)
- _____ your book? (Formulating an information question)
- _____ my favorite sweater (Demonstrative adjective)
- She _____ early in her office (Frequency adverb)
ACTIVITY 3. PRACTICING THE VERB “TO BE”
Instructions: In this activity, you will practice using the verb “to be” in sentences. Given the following set of phrases, your task is to form sentences using the verb “to be” in the present tense. Make sure to use the correct form of the verb “to be” (am, is, are) based on the subject of the sentence.
- (John / a teacher)
- (The cat / on the mat)
- (The books / not on the shelf)
- (The flowers / beautiful)
- (The cake / not delicious)
Example: (John / a teacher)
Form yes/no questions, respond to them, formulate information questions, and use demonstrative adjectives where possible.
Student 1: Form a sentence with “John / a teacher”. Student 2: “John is a teacher.”
Student 1: Now, form a yes/no question with “John / a teacher”. Student 2: “Is John a teacher?”
Student 1: Respond to the question. Student 2: “Yes, he is.”
Student 1: Formulate an information question. Student 2: “Who is John?”
Student 1: Use a demonstrative adjective in a sentence. Student 2: “This is John, he is a teacher.”
ACTIVITY 4. INTERACTION USING THE VERB “TO BE”
Instructions: The professor (or a student) will ask a question, and then you will answer the question using the second part of the clue and an appropriate form of the verb “to be”. Make sure to use the verb “to be” in the present tense in your answers.
Clues:
- John / a teacher
- The cat / on the mat
- The books / not on the shelf
- The flowers / beautiful
- The cake / not delicious
Example:
- Teacher: What is John’s profession? Student: John is a teacher.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the verb “to be” is not just a simple word in the English language. It’s a versatile tool that weaves itself into the very fabric of our communication. From pairing with nouns and pronouns, mastering the art of contraction, expressing negation, to formulating questions and responses, “to be” proves its indispensability. It helps us describe states, locate objects, and even works harmoniously with demonstrative adjectives and frequency adverbs.
The journey through the multifaceted nature of “to be” illuminates its power and versatility. It’s more than a verb; it’s a linguistic chameleon adapting to its context, a cornerstone of English grammar, and a testament to the richness of the language. As we continue to explore and learn, let’s appreciate the humble yet powerful role of the verb “to be” in transforming the way we communicate in English.
Remember, every ‘is’, ‘am’, ‘are’, ‘was’, and ‘were’ is an opportunity to express, describe, locate, question, and respond. That’s the beauty and versatility of the verb “to be”.
