← Back to grammar
VerbsCEFR A1 - CEFR A2

Verb To Be (am / is / are)

CourseGrammarUnderstand how English works and use each structure in real communication.Explore course

The verb 'to be' is the most important verb in English. It is used to introduce yourself, describe people and things, and give information. At beginner level we use three forms: AM (with I), IS (with he/she/it), and ARE (with you/we/they).

Positive: I am a student. She is a teacher. They are friends.
Negative: I am not late. He isn't from Spain. We aren't students.
Question: Are you a student? Is she from Armenia? Am I late?
Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. Yes, he is. / No, he isn't.

💡 Tips

  • Learn the contractions: I'm, You're, He's, She's, It's, We're, They're — native speakers always use them.
  • In questions, the verb comes FIRST: 'Are you…?' not 'You are…?'
  • Always use a subject — English does not drop the subject like Armenian or Russian.
  • Practice with your own name: 'My name is ___. I am from ___. I am ___ years old.'

Grammar Rules

✅

Positive form

I am (I'm) · You are (You're) · He/She/It is (He's/She's/It's) · We/You/They are (We're/They're) Examples: • I am Anna. • She is a teacher. • They are students.
❌

Negative form

Add NOT after the verb: am not · is not (isn't) · are not (aren't) Examples: • I am not a doctor. • He isn't from Spain. • We aren't late.
❓

Question form

Move the verb BEFORE the subject: Am I? · Is he/she/it? · Are you/we/they? Examples: • Are you a student? • Is she from Armenia? • Am I late?
📝

Short answers

Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. Yes, he is. / No, he isn't. Yes, they are. / No, they aren't.

Examples

A1
EN"I am a student."
positive — I + am
A1
EN"She is a teacher."
positive — she + is
A1
EN"They are from Armenia."
positive — they + are
A1
EN"I am not a doctor."
negative — am not
A1
EN"Are you a student?"
question — are + you
A1
EN"My name is Anna. I'm from Russia."
introduction — real use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Wrong:
She am a doctor.
✅ Correct:
She IS a doctor.
💡 Note:
Use IS with he/she/it — never AM.
❌ Wrong:
I is happy.
✅ Correct:
I AM happy.
💡 Note:
AM is only for I.
❌ Wrong:
He not is here.
✅ Correct:
He is NOT here. / He isn't here.
💡 Note:
NOT comes after the verb to be, not before.
❌ Wrong:
Are you student?
✅ Correct:
Are you A student?
💡 Note:
Don't forget the article A before a singular noun.

Practice this lesson with Sunny

Answer a question using what you just learned and receive an instant correction.

Start speaking

Write about it — Sunny checks it

Write a few sentences using what you just learned. Get your level, every mistake explained and a corrected version.

Write 4–5 sentences about yourself using the Verb To Be.

Check the text

🧠 Practice Quiz1 / 5

Choose the correct form of 'to be'.
I ____ a student.

Frequently asked questions

What is Verb To Be (am / is / are)?
The verb 'to be' is the most important verb in English.
How do you form Verb To Be (am / is / are)?
The key rule: I am (I'm) · You are (You're) · He/She/It is (He's/She's/It's) · We/You/They are (We're/They're) Examples: • I am Anna. • She is a teacher. • They are students.
What are examples of Verb To Be (am / is / are)?
Example: I am a student.

Related lessons

Dive deeper with another lesson that reinforces this grammar point.

Share this lesson

Help us improve this topic

Share feedback to improve this topic. This is anonymous.

0/2000

Grammar Level Test

Take a short test to get your estimated grammar level (A1–C2). Sign in after the test to get a certificate with a verification link.

Start test

Keep learning

Thank you for learning with Sunny Academy

Your feedback helps us improve. How has your experience been?

Choose an option
0/1000