The verb “be” is one of the most important and commonly used verbs in English. We use it to describe people, places, jobs, the weather, and more. In this blog, we’ll explore the present simple forms of “be” with examples and practical usage.
1. Examples of "Be" in the Present Simple
This is my sister. She’s twelve years old.
I ‘m twenty and a teacher; these are my notebooks.
My friends are n’t in the park; they’re at school.
2. Present Simple Forms of "Be"
POSITIVE | Full form | Short form |
---|---|---|
Singular |
I am You are he/she/it is |
I'm you're he/she/it's |
Plural |
we are you are they are |
we're you're they're |
Looking for the best online English speaking course in Tamil Nadu? Join Aksent and transform the way you communicate! Our expert-led online classes are designed to improve your fluency, pronunciation, and confidence—right from the comfort of your home.
NEGATIVE | Full form | Short form |
---|---|---|
Singular |
I am not You are not he/she/it is not |
I'm not you're not or you aren't he/she/it's not or he/she/it isn't |
Plural |
we are not you are not they are not |
we're not or we aren't you're not or you aren't they're not or they aren't |
TIP
We usually use short forms when speaking.
She's my sister. He's my brother.
I'm from Germany. They're students.
3. When Do We Use "Be" in Present Simple?
In Present Simple, the verb “be” is used in everyday conversations to describe family, jobs, identity, age, location, and the weather.
English Grammar in action
1. We use be when we introduce ourselves and our families:
These are my siblings, and this is my brother.
I’m Steve; this is my partner, Ruth.
She’s 30 years old, but I’m younger than her.
2 .We use be when we talk about our jobs:
I am a doctor, and they are nurses.
3. We use be when we say where we’re from:
I’m from Canada; my grandmother is Italian.
I’m not from Japan; I’m from South Korea.
4 We use be when we talk about the weather:
It’s a sunny day, but it’s chilly.
It’s not too hot today, and it’s very cloudy.
5 We use be when we talk about location:
Sydney is in Australia, but it isn’t near Melbourne.
TIP
We also use be to form continuous tenses.
Final Thoughts of 'be'
Mastering the verb “be” is essential for everyday conversations. Practice using it in different situations, and soon, it will feel natural!
Would you like to see more grammar tips on ‘be’ like this? Click here or let me know in the comments!
Join the Best Online English Speaking Course in Tamil Nadu– Aksent
Live sessions, flexible schedules, and step-by-step training make Aksent Tamil Nadu's #1 choice for English fluency.
Find out more
Nice Blog