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Unit 02
The Verb To Be
am / is / are · was / were
Overview
The verb to be is the most common verb in English. It's used to show identity, state, location, description, age, or how someone feels.
Because to be is irregular, it changes form depending on the subject and the tense. You need to memorise these forms — but they're worth it because you'll use them in nearly every sentence!
Present Forms (am / is / are)
Contractions (very common in speech and informal writing):
- Affirmative: I'm · you're · he's · she's · it's · we're · they're
- Negative: I'm not · isn't · aren't (no contraction for "am not")
- Two negative styles: "She isn't tired" = "She's not tired" — both are correct.
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I am happy. | I am not sad. | Am I late? |
| You / We / They | You are students. | You aren't ready. | Are you hungry? |
| He / She / It | He is tired. | He isn't here. | Is he tired? |
Past Forms (was / were)
Memory tip: "was" goes with singular subjects (I, he, she, it) — except "you", which always uses "were", even for one person.
| Subject | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / He / She / It | I was at work. | I wasn't at home. | Was I late? |
| You / We / They | You were on time. | You weren't there. | Were you on time? |
Main Uses
| Function | Example |
|---|---|
| Identity | She is my manager. |
| Job / Role | I am an engineer. |
| Feelings / Condition | They are tired. |
| Location | We are in Istanbul. |
| Description | It is cold today. |
| Age | He is 30 years old. |
| Nationality / Origin | We are from Türkiye. |
Yes / No Questions & Short Answers
❌ Wrong: "Yes, I'm." → ✅ Right: "Yes, I am." (No contractions in positive short answers!)
| Question | Yes (full form) | No (contraction) |
|---|---|---|
| Are you ready? | Yes, I am. | No, I'm not. |
| Is she a doctor? | Yes, she is. | No, she isn't. |
| Were they late? | Yes, they were. | No, they weren't. |
Wh- Questions with "be"
To ask for information, put the question word first, then be, then the subject. Do not use do/does/did with be.
| Question word | be | Subject | Rest | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | are | you | from? | I'm from Konya. |
| How old | is | your sister? | She's 15. | |
| What | is | your name? | It's Deniz. | |
| Why | were | they | late? | Because the bus was late. |
| Where | were | you | born? | I was born in Bursa. |
Useful Fixed Phrases with "be"
- be born is always past for people: I was born in 2005. (not
I am born) - be + age: He is 20 (years old). (not
He has 20 years) - be + hungry / thirsty / cold / hot / afraid / right / wrong: I'm hungry. You're right.
- be interested in / good at / afraid of: She's good at maths.
- Feelings like agree are normal verbs, not adjectives: I agree. (not
I am agree)
Examples
Subject
Verb
Auxiliary
Object
Adjective
Adverb
Preposition
Hover over any word to see its role.
subjectIverbamobjecta teacher
↳ Job — "I" always takes "am"
subjectSheverbisadjectivevery kind
↳ Description — he/she/it + "is"
subjectTheyverbareprepositionin Istanbul
↳ Location — plural + "are"
subjectItverbisn'tadjectivecoldadverbtoday
↳ Negative contraction (is + not)
subjectWeverbwereprepositionat the cinemaadverbyesterday
↳ Past plural — "were"
verbWassubjectheprepositionon holidayadverblast week?
↳ Past question — verb before subject
Common Mistakes
He a doctor.
→
He is a doctor.
You must include a form of "to be" — never omit it.
They is students.
→
They are students.
"They" (plural) takes "are", not "is".
I am not understand.
→
I don't understand.
"Understand" is an action verb — don't use "be" with another verb in simple statements. Use "don't/doesn't" instead.
Where you are from?
→
Where are you from?
In "to be" questions, the verb comes BEFORE the subject.
She wasn't be there.
→
She wasn't there.
Never use "be" after another form of "be" (wasn't already contains "was").
Yes, I'm.
→
Yes, I am.
Don't use contractions in positive short answers.
You was late.
→
You were late.
"You" always takes "were" in the past — even when speaking to one person.
I am agree with you.
→
I agree with you.
"Agree" is a verb. Don't put "am" in front of it.
I am born in Ankara.
→
I was born in Ankara.
"Be born" is a past event → "was/were born".
He has 25 years.
→
He is 25 (years old).
In English, age uses "be", not "have".