General English A1 · Lesson 1A

Grammar Bank

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

← Back to the lesson

Grammar focus of this lesson

verb be (am / is / are)

1 structure

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