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Verb To Be

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23 views

Verb To Be

Uploaded by

Peak Traa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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English for kids

Verb To Be
Let's talk about one of the most important
verbs in English–the 'to be' verb. We're
going to break down what it means and how
you can use it in the English language. So,
let's dive in!

Contents [ hide ]

How to use the “to be” verb

Forms of “to be”

Base form: Be

Present

Affirmative:

Negative:

Past: Was / Were

Past Participle: been

Continuous: being

Passive form

Questions in English with the “to be” verb

Examples of the “to be” verb:

Printable Worksheets about the Verb “To Be” in

English

Playlearn with Lingokids!

Let’s chat about verbs in English! Verbs are like


the action heroes of language – they express
actions. You’ve got words like ‘jump,’ ‘run,’ and
‘speak’ to show what a subject is up to. But, here’s
the superstar of verbs: ‘to be.’

Now, for kids, learning all about verbs, especially


‘to be,’ might sound like a tough job. Verbs can be
a bit tricky to wrap your head around, but don’t
worry! By practicing and having fun with
activities and exercises, you can make learning
verbs a breeze.

It’s super important for the little ones to get the


hang of the ‘to be’ verb because it’s used a ton,
and for all sorts of things!

How to use the “to be” verb


The “to be” is a verb used to describe something
or someone.

In English, it can be used to say different things


according to the context. However, the most
common use of the to be verb is to talk about
names, ages, feeling, nationalities, and
professions, especially when talking in the
present tense.

The most tricky thing about this verb, however, is


that It’s also one of the most irregular verbs in the
English language. This means, that unlike regular
verbs, which barely change when used when
different subjects -or even in different tenses-,
and when they do, they follow a pattern, the “to
be” verb changes almost completely in most of its
forms.

Forms of “to be”


Since the to be verb is highly irregular, it’s written
in different ways according to the tense of the
verb (whether if it’s present, past, future, or even
in mixed tenses), and it also varies according to
the subject. Let’s see the forms this verb can take
when used next to the subjects.

Base form: Be

This is the most basic form of the verb, and it’s


how we can find it in the dictionary. It’s mostly
used when using imperatives, and also as the
infinitive. Some examples are:

Be nice to your sister! (imperative)


I like to be at my house. (infinitive)

Present

This form of the verb is mainly used in the simple


present, and its meaning can change depending
on the use in the context. Also, when writing, the
present form of the to be verb can be shortened.

Here is the to be for all the subjects in both long


and short forms for affirmative sentences, and
also for negative sentences with to be.

Affirmative:
I am – I’m

you are – you’re

he/she/it is – he’s/she’s/it’s

we/you/they are – we’re/you’re/they’re

Negative:
I am not – I’m not

you are not – you aren’t

he/she/it isn’t

we/you/they aren’t

Let’s see some examples of this for sentences


with the “to be” verb.

For names:
She is Sheila

For ages:
He is 6 years old.

For feelings:
Lauren and Sandra are happy.

For nationalities:
We are from Thailand.

For professions:
You aren’t a painter, you are a singer.

Past: Was / Were

When talking about the past, the to be verb


changes its form again. This is how it looks with
the different subject pronouns.

I was – I wasn’t

you were – you weren’t

he/she/it was – he wasn’t/she wasn’t/it


wasn’t

we/they/you were – we weren’t/they


weren’t/you weren’t

Some examples of the past form of the to be are:

I was at the school yesterday

You were 10 years old last year.

Billy and Elliot were students, now they are


doctors.

It was raining a while ago.

Past Participle: been

This is the form of the “to be” verb used with the
perfect and passive tenses, and it is the same for
all the subjects.

It’s also used as an adjective in English


sometimes.

She has been busy all day.


Lisa and Billy have been running for an hour.
He has been a teacher for a year now.

Continuous: being

The continuous form of the to be verb is used to


make up the continuous tenses. Just as the past
participle, it’s the same for all the subjects.

Elliot is being helpful.

Passive form

The “to be” verb, both in its present and past


forms, can be used to make passive sentences.

The house was built in the mountains.


The program is being recorded right now.

Questions in English with the “to


be” verb
“To be” verb can be used to make questions in
English in two different ways. The first one is to
use it normally with Wh- questions, like in the
following sentences:

What‘s her name?


How old is Baby Bot?
How are they feeling?
Where are you from?
Do you know what my profession is?
What are you doing?

The second option, and also the most important,


is to use the “to be” verb to make “yes” or “no”
questions in English. This type of questions are
very simple, and they can be answered with a yes
or no.

Are you reading?


Yes, I am.

Is Lisa ready for bed?


No, she isn’t.

Examples of the “to be” verb:


I am Cowy, and I‘m from Ireland.

Elliot and Cowy are best friends.

Where are Billy and Elliot?


They are at the theater.

Bobby is helping Lisa with his homework.

The river is very pretty.

The flowers aren’t red, they are orange.

Are the dogs running in the field?


Yes, they are.

Printable Worksheets about the


Verb “To Be” in English

Playlearn with Lingokids!


Want to try learning all of this grammar through
games, songs, and interactive activities?
Download the Lingokids app and discover the
world of playlearning™ – a safe, game-based
learning experience that takes kids beyond the
classroom.

Is your child ready to


start Playlearning™?
Jumpstart your child’s Playlearning™
adventure by downloading the Lingokids app!

Try for free

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