{"id":149270,"date":"2024-03-01T02:21:11","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T07:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/to-be-verbs\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T22:50:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T03:50:22","slug":"to-be-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/english\/to-be-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cTo Be\u201d in English and its Different Verb Forms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that the verb\u00a0to be <\/em>is the most frequently used English verb<\/a>?\u00a0That’s probably not surprising, since\u2014as you’re about to see\u2014it’s very\u00a0versatile <\/em>(flexible, can be used in many situations).\u00a0There’s just one problem: to be <\/em>is also the most irregular verb in English<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Throughout this post, you’ll get a chance to learn all the different English to be <\/em>verb forms, learn how to use is<\/em>, am<\/em>, are<\/em> and similar verbs, and see some special uses of this verb and several expressions that include it.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

Common Forms of “To Be” Verbs<\/h2>\n

The Basic Forms of “To Be” Verbs<\/h3>\n

To be <\/em>is the most irregular verb in the English language. Its most basic forms include the infinitive be<\/em>,\u00a0 am<\/em>,\u00a0is<\/em>, are<\/em>, was<\/em>, were<\/em>,\u00a0being<\/em> and been<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Here’s a quick rundown of them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Basic Forms of \"To Be\" Verbs<\/th>Uses<\/th>Examples<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
be <\/a>\n <\/strong><\/td>- Infinitive form
\n- Refers to the verb in general
\n- Used with certain compound tenses<\/td>		 The verb to be<\/em> is very important. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
am <\/a>\n <\/strong>
\n is <\/a>\n <\/strong>
\n are <\/a>\n <\/strong><\/td>		- Present tense forms of \"to be\"
\n- \"am\" is used for the first person singular
\n- \"is\" is used for the third person singular
\n- \"are\" is used for the first person plural, second person singular and plural and third person plural<\/td>		 I am<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n he is<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n she is<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n it is<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n we are<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n you are<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n they are<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
was <\/a>\n <\/strong>
\n were <\/a>\n <\/strong><\/td>		- Past tense forms of \"to be\"
\n- \"Was\" is used for the first and third person singular
\n- \"Were\" is used for the first person plural, the second person singular and plural and the third person plural<\/td>		 I was<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n he was<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n she was<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n it was<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n we were<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n you were<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n they were<\/em> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
being <\/a>\n <\/strong><\/td>- Present participle of the verb \"to be\"
\n- Used in continuous tenses
\n- Used as a subject in sentences<\/td>		 I am being<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n she was being<\/em> <\/a>\n
\n Being<\/em> a polyglot is a great asset. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
been <\/a>\n <\/strong><\/td>- Past participle of \"to be\"
\n- Used in perfect tenses ( has<\/em> <\/a>\n \/ have<\/em> <\/a>\n + past participle)<\/td>		 I have been<\/em> studying English for 10 years. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

In case you’re wondering whether to<\/em> be <\/em>has always been irregular, check out the video below. (Spoiler: It’s been that way for centuries!)<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

Present Simple<\/h3>\n

The present simple<\/a> of the verb to be <\/em>looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Subject Pronoun<\/th>Present Tense of \"To Be\"<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I <\/a>\n <\/td> am<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You <\/a>\n \/ We <\/a>\n \/ They <\/a>\n <\/td> are<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He <\/a>\n \/ She <\/a>\n \/ It <\/a>\n <\/td> is<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Use the present simple of the verb to be <\/em>for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Present Simple \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Describing identity or characteristics<\/td> I am<\/b> a teacher. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She is<\/b> intelligent. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expressing nationality or origin<\/td> He is<\/b> Japanese. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We are<\/b> from Canada. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talking about occupations<\/a><\/td> She is<\/b> a doctor. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They are<\/b> engineers. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indicating possession<\/td> The book is<\/b> mine. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Those are<\/b> your keys. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talking about relationships<\/td> He is<\/b> my brother. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She is<\/b> my friend. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Describing physical or emotional states<\/td> I am<\/b> tired. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The weather is<\/b> cold. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talking about general truths or facts<\/td> The sun rises<\/b> in the east. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water boils<\/b> at 100 degrees Celsius. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talking about habits or routines<\/td> I am<\/b> usually at work by 9 AM. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They are<\/b> always late. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Present Continuous<\/h3>\n

The present continuous<\/a> of the verb to be<\/em> is formed by just adding\u00a0being <\/em>to the present simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Subject Pronoun<\/th>Present Continuous of \"To Be\"<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I <\/a>\n <\/td> am being<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You <\/a>\n \/ We <\/a>\n \/ They <\/a>\n <\/td> are being<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He <\/a>\n \/ She <\/a>\n \/ It <\/a>\n <\/td> is being<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The present continuous is used to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Present Continuous \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Talk about actions happening or ongoing now<\/td> I am writing<\/strong> a letter. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She is studying<\/strong> for her exams. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about actions that are happening but will stop at some point<\/td> I am staying<\/strong> with a friend until I find a place to live. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He is working<\/strong> on a project this week. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about future arrangements<\/td> We are meeting<\/strong> for lunch tomorrow. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She is flying<\/strong> to Paris next week. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

The Past Simple<\/h3>\n

The past simple<\/a> of to be<\/em> is very simple. There are only two of them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t
Subject Pronoun<\/th>Past Simple of \"To Be\"<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I <\/a>\n \/ He <\/a>\n \/ She <\/a>\n \/ It <\/a>\n <\/td> was<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You <\/a>\n \/ We <\/a>\n \/ They <\/a>\n <\/td> were<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Use the past simple of to be <\/em>to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Past Simple \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tell your or someone else's age in the past<\/td> I was<\/strong> five when I started learning English. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He was<\/strong> 25 when the accident happened. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about deceased individuals or groups that no longer exist<\/td> Elvis Presley was<\/strong> a legendary musician. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Beatles were<\/strong> a groundbreaking band. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Describe past events, people, objects or places in the past<\/td> It was<\/strong> a very beautiful morning. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He was<\/strong> angry at his father. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The houses were<\/strong> huge. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about past professions<\/td> She was<\/strong> a nurse before she became a social worker. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
My grandpa was<\/strong> an architect. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tell where someone or something was in the past<\/td> He was<\/strong> in the park all morning. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I was<\/strong> home when she called. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about nationalities in the past<\/td> Grandma was<\/strong> Irish. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The best wine I drank was<\/strong> from France. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Past Continuous<\/h3>\n

The past continuous<\/a> of to be <\/em>is formed by adding being <\/em>to the past simple of the verb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t
Subject Pronoun<\/th>Past Continuous of \"To Be\"<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I <\/a>\n \/ He <\/a>\n \/ She <\/a>\n \/ It <\/a>\n <\/td> was being<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You <\/a>\n \/ We <\/a>\n \/ They <\/a>\n <\/td> were being<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Use\u00a0to be<\/em> in the past continuous tense when you want to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Past Continuous \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Talk about actions in progress in the past<\/td> She was reading<\/strong> a book when the earthquake occurred. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They were playing<\/strong> basketball when it started raining. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about two or more actions that happened at the same time<\/td> He was watching<\/strong> TV while she was cooking<\/strong> dinner. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I was studying<\/strong> while my brother was playing<\/strong> video games. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about temporary actions<\/td> We were living<\/strong> in a small apartment while our house was being renovated. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He was staying<\/strong> with us for a week during his business trip. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Present Perfect<\/h3>\n

The present perfect<\/a> of\u00a0to be<\/em> uses\u00a0to <\/em>have<\/em> <\/em>and the past participle been:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t
Subject Pronoun<\/th>Present Perfect of \"To Be\"<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I <\/a>\n \/ You <\/a>\n \/ We <\/a>\n \/ They <\/a>\n <\/td> have been<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He <\/a>\n \/ She <\/a>\n \/ It <\/a>\n <\/td> has been<\/strong> <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

We use this tense when we need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Present Perfect \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Talk about completed actions with a present result<\/td> She has been<\/strong> a teacher for 15 years. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They have been<\/strong> married since 2010. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about an unspecified time in the past with a present result<\/td> He has been<\/strong> to Japan. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We have been<\/strong> to that museum before. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about experiences in life up to the present<\/td> I have been<\/strong> to a live concert. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She has been<\/strong> to five different countries. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about changes or developments over a period leading up to the present<\/td> The city has been<\/strong> growing rapidly over the last decade. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Our team has been<\/strong> quite successful this season. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Talk about multiple occurrences of a state or condition over time<\/td> He has been<\/strong> happy since he started his new job. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The children have been<\/strong> excited about the upcoming trip. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Past Perfect<\/h3>\n

The past perfect of to be <\/em>is super simple. It uses\u00a0had been <\/em><\/strong>in every person, whether singular or plural.<\/p>\n

Use this tense when you want to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Past Perfect \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Talk about situations and events that happened before other past events<\/td> I had been<\/strong> a teacher for 20 years when I retired. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He had been<\/strong> there for three hours before his girlfriend arrived. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Describe people, objects and places in the past<\/td> It had been<\/strong> a very beautiful place in the past, but the house looked completely abandoned. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The old man had been<\/strong> really busy all morning. When his family arrived, he was already tired. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Say that something had not happened before but now it has<\/td> I had never been<\/strong> to London before. <\/a>\n
\n(This means you are in London at the moment or you just came back from there.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
John had never been<\/strong> in love until he met Silvia. <\/a>\n \u00a0
\n(This means he actually fell in love with Silvia when they met, but was never in love before that.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Let’s compare that last use of the past perfect with the present perfect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t
Present Perfect<\/th>Past Perfect<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I have never been<\/strong> to Puerto Rico. <\/a>\n
\n(Still, to this day, I have not traveled there.)<\/td>		 I had never been<\/strong> to Puerto Rico before. <\/a>\n
\n(The speaker has now been to Puerto Rico.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mary has never been<\/strong> married. <\/a>\n
\n(She is not married.)<\/td>		 Mary had never been<\/strong> married before. <\/a>\n \u00a0
\n(She is now married for the first time.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

If the present perfect is used to say that you haven’t been to a place or something hasn’t happened yet, the past perfect is not necessarily a past-before-past event or description. This tense just tells us that the present perfect sentence is no longer true.<\/strong> The situation has changed, and we have now been to that place or the situation is now real.<\/p>\n

Future Simple<\/h3>\n

The future simple of to be <\/em>is another very easy tense to learn because it uses\u00a0will be <\/em><\/strong>in every person, no matter if it’s singular or plural.<\/p>\n

We use the future simple to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Uses of the Future Simple \"To Be\"<\/th>Example Sentences<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Talk about age and professions in the future<\/td> He will be<\/strong> 18 next month. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I will be<\/strong> a firefighter when I grow up. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Predict how something or someone will look or feel in the future<\/td> It will be<\/strong> the tallest building in the city when it is finished. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He will be<\/strong> very happy there. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Say someone will be somewhere in the future<\/td> I will be<\/strong> at school at eight. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She will be<\/strong> home soon. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Negative Forms of “To Be”<\/h2>\n

To form negative statements for to be<\/em> verbs, all you have to do is add the word not<\/strong><\/em>. If you’re dealing with the past and present simple tenses, just pop it at the end of the to be<\/em> verb. For the future simple, put it between “will” and “be.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Present Simple<\/th>Past Simple<\/th>Future Simple<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I am not<\/strong> a student. <\/a>\n <\/td> I was not<\/strong> there yesterday. <\/a>\n <\/td> I will not be<\/strong> here tomorrow. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You are not<\/strong> from Poland. <\/a>\n <\/td> You were not<\/strong> very nice to Martha. <\/a>\n <\/td> You will not be<\/strong> happy there. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
She is not<\/strong> from Argentina. <\/a>\n <\/td> He was not<\/strong> Polish. <\/a>\n
\n She was not<\/strong> Polish. <\/a>\n
\n It was not<\/strong> Polish. <\/a>\n <\/td>		 He will not be<\/strong> in London by Monday. <\/a>\n
\n She will not be<\/strong> be in London by Monday. <\/a>\n
\n It will not be<\/strong> be in London by Monday. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We are not<\/strong> friends. <\/a>\n <\/td> We were not<\/strong> students at the time. <\/a>\n <\/td> We will not be<\/strong> at the cinema by then. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They are not<\/strong> doctors. <\/a>\n <\/td> They were not<\/strong> so tall last year. <\/a>\n <\/td> They will not be<\/strong> surprised. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

If you’re dealing with the continuous\/progressive and perfect tenses, write “not” between the to be<\/em> verb and “being” or “been.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Present Continuous<\/th>Past Continuous<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I am not being<\/strong> silly. <\/a>\n <\/td> I was not being<\/strong> rude. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You are not being<\/strong> yourself! <\/a>\n <\/td> You were not being<\/strong> yourself. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He is not being<\/strong> naughty. <\/a>\n
\n She is not being<\/strong> naughty. <\/a>\n
\n It is not being<\/strong> naughty. <\/a>\n <\/td>		 He was not being<\/strong> helpful. <\/a>\n
\n She was not being<\/strong> helpful. <\/a>\n
\n It was not being<\/strong> helpful. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We are not being<\/strong> the best siblings. <\/a>\n <\/td> We were not being<\/strong> nice to her. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They are not being<\/strong> nice. <\/a>\n <\/td> They were not being<\/strong> themselves. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Present Perfect<\/th>Past Perfect<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
I have not been<\/strong> completely honest with you. <\/a>\n <\/td> I had not been<\/strong> there before. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You have not been<\/strong> to Spain yet. <\/a>\n <\/td> You had not been<\/strong> fat before you met him. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
He has not been<\/strong> happy ever since. <\/a>\n
\n She has not been<\/strong> happy ever since. <\/a>\n
\n It has not been<\/strong> happy ever since. <\/a>\n <\/td>		 He had not been<\/strong> so naughty until we moved last year. <\/a>\n
\n She had not been<\/strong> so naughty until we moved last year. <\/a>\n
\n It had not been<\/strong> so naughty until we moved last year. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
We have not been<\/strong> there this year. <\/a>\n <\/td> We had not been<\/strong> to Montevideo before. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They have not been<\/strong> to an airport before. <\/a>\n <\/td> They had not been<\/strong> there for long when Carlo showed up. <\/a>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

By the way, it’s perfectly acceptable to shorten both negative and affirmative\/positive statements (i.e., statements that don’t use “not”) using contractions. For more on those, read this post:<\/p>\n

Contractions in English: Meaning, Usage and Common Examples<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n