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To be (Affirmative & Negative)​

To be Exercises with Answers (A1).

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We use the verb to be to talk about people and things: who they are, what they are like, where they are from, how old they are, and where they are.

I, You, He, She, It, We, They

To be always follows a subject. Here is what each subject means.

SubjectMeaning
Ithe speaker
Youthe listener, one person or many people
Hea man or a boy
Shea woman or a girl
Ita thing, an animal, or an idea
Wethe speaker and other people
Theyother people or things

You is the same word for one person and for many people: You are late can mean one friend or a whole group.

How We Use To Be

  • Identity / Job: Emma is a nurse.
  • Description: This movie is amazing.
  • Nationality: Jack is from Italy.
  • Age: Nina is thirty years old.
  • Location: The children are at school.
  • Feelings and states: We are ready for the exam.

In positive sentences, add am, is, or are after the subject.

Singular: I, You, He, She, It

Full FormContraction
I am Alex.I'm Alex.
You are my friend.You're my friend.
He is a doctor.He's a doctor.
She is from Spain.She's from Spain.
It is a good book.It's a good book.

Plural: We, You, They

Full FormContraction
We are late.We're late.
You are students.You're students.
They are teachers.They're teachers.

Spelling the Contraction

The apostrophe (') shows a missing letter. I am becomes I'm: the a of am disappears.

Always write I with a capital letter, even in the middle of a sentence: My name is Sara and I am a teacher.

Full Forms or Contractions?

We use full forms (I am, you are) in formal writing, like a report or a formal email. We use contractions (I'm, you're) in conversation and informal writing, like a text message to a friend.

To make to be negative, add not after am, is, or are.

Singular: I, You, He, She, It

Full FormContraction
I am not Canadian.I'm not Canadian.
You are not late.You aren't late. OR You're not late.
He is not an artist.He isn't an artist. OR He's not an artist.
She is not from Mexico.She isn't from Mexico. OR She's not from Mexico.
It is not expensive.It isn't expensive. OR It's not expensive.

Plural: We, You, They

Full FormContraction
We are not ready.We aren't ready. OR We're not ready.
You are not students.You aren't students. OR You're not students.
They are not busy.They aren't busy. OR They're not busy.

Most negative forms have two possible contractions with the same meaning: He isn't from Japan. OR He's not from Japan. Both are correct. I am not has only one contraction, I'm not. There is no short form like "amn't".

More Examples

  • Olivia isn't from Mexico. She's from Peru.
  • The museum isn't far from here.
  • Grace and Ben aren't at home today.

Check your sentences for these common mistakes.

Missing To Be

Not correctCorrectTip
✗ He tired.✓ He is tired.Every sentence with an adjective or a noun after the subject needs am, is, or are.
✗ I student.✓ I am a student.Don't forget am, is, or are before a noun.

Missing Subject

Not correctCorrectTip
✗ Is cold today.✓ It is cold today.English sentences always need a subject, even to talk about weather or time.
✗ Is three o'clock.✓ It is three o'clock.Use it as a subject when there is no other person or thing to name.

Wrong Form of To Be

Not correctCorrectTip
✗ I is happy.✓ I am happy.I always takes am, never is or are.
✗ They is from France.✓ They are from France.They, we, and you take are, not is.

Negative Mistakes

Not correctCorrectTip
✗ I amn't tired.✓ I'm not tired.Amn't is not a word in English. Use I'm not.
✗ He not from Japan.✓ He isn't from Japan.Add not after is, am, or are to make a negative sentence.

Short Answer Mistake

Not correctCorrectTip
✗ Are you ready? Yes, I'm.✓ Are you ready? Yes, I am.Positive short answers never contract. Negative short answers can: No, I'm not is fine. You will practice full questions and short answers in a later lesson.