Business English A2 · Lesson 1A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

to be (positive, negative, questions) + subject pronouns

2 structures

Verb be (am / is / are)
We use be to say who or what somebody is, and how they feel.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›I am · you/we/they are · he/she/it is.
- ›Negative: add not → I'm not, she isn't, they aren't.
- ›Question: put be first → Are you ready? Is she Brazilian?
- ›Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, she isn't.
Examples
- “I'm Ana and I'm from São Paulo.”
- “She isn't at home — she's at work.”
- “Are you tired? Yes, I am.”
Watch out · Don't say “I have 30 years”. Use be for age: I'm 30 years old.
Your own example
Subject pronouns
Words that replace the person or thing doing the action.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›I · you · he · she · it · we · they.
- ›English always needs a subject: It's cold today (not “Is cold today”).
- ›Use it for things, weather, time and animals.
Examples
- “My brother is a doctor. He works in Lisbon.”
- “Maria and I are colleagues. We work together.”
- “It's Monday and it's raining.”
Watch out · Never drop the subject, even when it's obvious.
Your own example