Understanding the Verb “To Be”

Grammar Notes: Rules of the Verb “To Be”

• The verb “to be” shows a state of being or existence.

• It changes form depending on the subject and the tense.

✅ Present Simple Forms

✅ Past Simple Forms

✅ Negative Forms

• Present:

  • I am not tired.

  • You aren’t ready.

  • He isn’t here.

• Past:

  • I wasn’t home yesterday.

  • They weren’t hungry.

✅ Question Forms

• Present:

  • Am I late?

  • Are you okay?

  • Is she your teacher?

• Past:

  • Was he there?

  • Were they happy?

💡 Tip: Use “to be” to describe states, feelings, occupations, and locations — not actions.

Practice Together

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb “to be.”

1. I ___ a student.

2. You ___ very tall.

3. She ___ my sister.

4. We ___ happy to be here.

5. They ___ late for class.

6. He ___ tired yesterday.

7. You ___ at the park last night.

8. It ___ very cold this morning.

Answer Key (Practice Together)

1. am

2. are

3. is

4. are

5. are

6. was

7. were

8. was

Practice Alone Worksheet

Below is the student worksheet PDF, followed by the teacher answer key PDF.