The Verb To Be: Forms, Examples and Grammar Exercises

The verb "to be" is one of the most common verbs in the English language. It has many different forms.

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

The forms of the verb "to be"

When?	Who?	Form	Example
Base form		be	It can be simple.
Simple Present	I	am	I am here.
	You	are	You are here.
	He/She/It	is	She is here.
	We	are	We are here.
	They	are	They are here.
Simple Past	I	was	I was here.
	You	were	You were here.
	He/She/It	was	She was here.
	We	were	We were here.
	They	were	They were here.
Simple Future	I	will be	I will be here.
	You	will be	You will be here.
	He/She/It	will be	She will be here.
	We	will be	We will be here.
	They	will be	They will be here.
Progressive form		being	He is being unusual.
Perfect from		been	It has been fun.

The verb "to be" also has many different meanings.

The following are the most important ones.

The meanings of the verb "to be"

1. Exists.

2. Happens.

3. Located.

4. Shows identity.

5. Shows a quality.

The verb "to be" as an auxiliary verb
(helping verb)

Auxiliary verbs are verbs that are used together with the main verb of the sentence to express the action or state.

Main verb + auxiliary verb = complete idea

The verb "to be" can be used as an auxiliary verb to express ongoing (continuing) actions.

For example:

Anna is eating a sandwich.

"Eating" = the main verb.

"Is" = an auxiliary (helping) verb.

"is eating" (a complete idea) = the eating is IN PROGRESS.

More examples:

Kayla is walking home with her friends.

Justin and Ethan are watching a movie.

I am trying to get some sleep.

The verb "to be" in passive sentences

The verb "to be" is used together with the third form of the verb (V3) in passive sentences.

For example:

ACTIVE: I eat an apple.

PASSIVE: The apple is eaten.

"Eaten" = the main verb (in the third form – V3).

"Is" = an auxiliary (helping) verb.

"is eaten" (a complete idea) = the subject of the sentence (the apple) is affected by the action.

More examples:

People buy cars. --> Cars are bought.

Someone turned on the light. --> The light was turned on.

He will clean the house. --> The house will be cleaned. 

Progressive Forms of the verb "to be"

The progressive form of the verb "to be" is "being."

This means the action is ongoing (continuing).

Examples:

The little boy is being naughty.

She was being rude, but then she apologized.

They are being tricked.

Perfect Forms of the verb "to be"

The perfect form of the verb "to be" is "been."

This means the action is complete (finished).

Examples:

The little boy has been naughty.

She has been rude, but now she apologizes.

They have been tricked.

Grammar Exercises

Exercise 01

Exercise 02

Verb TO BE Worksheet: A Fun Way to Practice

Please share this page with others: