To be is the most common verb in the English language. It can be used as an auxiliary or a main verb.
Singular = 1 | Plural = 1+ | ||
I | am | You | are |
You | are | We | are |
He/she/it | is | They | are |
Am/Is/Are
Question ? | Positive Statement + | Negative Statement - | |||
Singular | Written Form or spoken for emphasis | Contracted | Written Form or spoken for emphasis | Contracted | |
You're not | |||||
He isn't | |||||
| Plural | ||||
We aren't | |||||
You're not | |||||
They aren't |
Examples
The verbs am / is / are are used with:-
Am/Are | Is | |
a noun group | Are you an English teacher? | Mr Bean is an English teacher. |
an adjective | I'm tired. | She's English. |
an expression of place or time | They're at home. | It's nine o'clock. |
an expression of age | I'm 44. | He's two years old. |
the form of the present continuous tense | We're learning English. | She's teaching English. |
Am/Are | Is | |
Question - ? | "Am I disturbing you?" | "Is this your coat?" |
Positive Answer + Yes | "Yes you are. We're very busy." | "Yes, it is" |
Negative Answer - No | "No you're not. We aren't very busy." | "No, it isn't" |