I am, you are: the verb to be

Describe yourself and others with am, is and are. Lesson 2 of 58: Foundations, CEFR A1.

Am, is, are

• The verb “to be” changes with the person: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, they are. In speech we almost always shorten it: I’m, you’re, he’s, she’s, it’s, we’re, they’re.
• I’m tired. (I am)
• She’s a doctor. (She is)
• They’re in the meeting. (They are)
• It’s cold today. (It is)
• Tip: Short forms are not lazy English: they are how fluent speakers sound. Use the long form only to stress it: “I AM listening!”

Not

• Add “not” after the verb: I’m not, you aren’t, he isn’t. “You’re not” and “you aren’t” mean the same.
• I’m not ready. (Never “I amn’t”)
• He isn’t here today.
• We aren’t late. (or “We’re not late.”)

Questions with be

• Swap the verb and the person: “You are busy” becomes “Are you busy?” Short answers repeat the verb: “Yes, I am.” “No, I’m not.”
• Are you busy? (Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.)
• Is she your manager? (Yes, she is.)
• Where is the station? (A question word comes first)
• Tip: In a short “yes” answer, do not shorten: “Yes, I am”, never “Yes, I’m.”

Lines to have ready

• I’m not sure. (When you do not know)
• Are you ready? (Before starting)
• It’s nice to be here. (Opening a visit or a talk)
• That’s right. (Agreeing that something is correct)
• Is everything OK? (Checking on somebody)

Your turn to speak

• Describe three people you know: who they are, what they do, where they are now, and one word for each of their personalities.
• I used he’s, she’s or they’re
• I used a “not” sentence
• I asked a question with “Is…?” or “Are…?”

Related

• Lesson 1: Hello and introductions
• Lesson 3: Numbers, dates and the time
• The whole English course

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