The verb to be
7 lessons about the verb to be in English, explained in Spanish. Practice with exercises and download worksheets.
- A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: negative contractions
Isn't, aren't, and I'm not: the two short forms of the negative of to be, why amn't is not used, and how they differ from don't.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: affirmative
The verb to be in the present: am with I, is with he, she, and it, are with you, we, and they. When to use each one, with exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: questions
How to ask questions with am, is, and are, how to answer (Yes, I am / No, it isn't), and questions with where and how old. With exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: contractions
I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, and they're: how to form them, how they sound, and how not to mix up you're and your. With exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: negative
The negative of to be is am not, is not, and are not: I am not tired, she is not here. Why there is no do, where not goes, and exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Was and were
Was with I, he, she, it and were with you, we, they: I was tired, they were late. The negative (wasn't), questions (Was it...?), and exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Present or past of to be
When to use am, is, are and when to use was, were: the time words that decide, plus negatives and questions in both tenses. With exercises.
View lesson
What is The verb to be?
The verb to be covers both "ser" and "estar" in Spanish, and it is the most important verb in basic English. Its present forms are am (I), is (he, she, it) and are (you, we, they); in the past, was and were. You use it to say who you are, how you feel, where you are and how old you are.
When to use it
Use it for identity ("I am Ana"), jobs ("He is a nurse"), origin ("They are from Peru"), states ("We are tired"), location ("The keys are on the table") and age ("She is 20"). It also builds the continuous tenses and the passive voice.
Common mistakes and tips for Spanish speakers
- Age uses be, not have: "I am 25", never "I have 25 years".
- The subject is compulsory in English: "It is late", not "Is late".
- Contractions such as I'm, he's, they're and isn't are normal in speech. Train your ear to understand them.
Examples
I am from Colombia.
Soy de Colombia.
She is not at home.
Ella no está en casa.
Are you ready?
¿Estás listo?
They were very happy.
Estaban muy contentos.