Understanding the Verb "To Be" in English Grammar
The verb “to be” is one of the most commonly used verbs in the English language. It is a linking verb, which means it connects the subject of a sentence to additional information. In this worksheet, we will practice using the verb “to be” in its various forms.
Forms of the Verb "To Be"
The verb “to be” has several forms, including:
- Am: used with the subject “I”
- Is: used with the subject “he”, “she”, and “it”
- Are: used with the subjects “we”, “they”, and plural nouns
- Was: used with the subject “I” in the past tense
- Were: used with the subjects “he”, “she”, “it”, and plural nouns in the past tense
📝 Note: The verb "to be" is an irregular verb, which means it does not follow the usual pattern of verb conjugation.
Present Tense Practice
Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verb “to be”:
- I ____________________ a student. (am)
- He ____________________ a teacher. (is)
- They ____________________ friends. (are)
- She ____________________ a doctor. (is)
- We ____________________ a team. (are)
Past Tense Practice
Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verb “to be”:
- I ____________________ a student last year. (was)
- He ____________________ a student when he was younger. (was)
- They ____________________ friends in high school. (were)
- She ____________________ a teacher before she retired. (was)
- We ____________________ a team when we were in college. (were)
Using "To Be" in Questions
Complete the following questions using the correct form of the verb “to be”:
- ____________________ you a student? (Are)
- ____________________ she a doctor? (Is)
- ____________________ they friends? (Are)
- ____________________ he a teacher? (Is)
- ____________________ we a team? (Are)
Using "To Be" in Negative Sentences
Complete the following negative sentences using the correct form of the verb “to be”:
- I ____________________ not a student. (am)
- He ____________________ not a teacher. (is)
- They ____________________ not friends. (are)
- She ____________________ not a doctor. (is)
- We ____________________ not a team. (are)
| Subject | Present Tense | Past Tense |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | was |
| he/she/it | is | was |
| we/they/plural nouns | are | were |
Conclusion
In this worksheet, we have practiced using the verb “to be” in its various forms, including the present and past tenses. We have also practiced using “to be” in questions and negative sentences. Remember to use the correct form of the verb “to be” depending on the subject and tense of the sentence.
What is the verb “to be” used for in English grammar?
+The verb “to be” is a linking verb that connects the subject of a sentence to additional information.
What are the different forms of the verb “to be”?
+The different forms of the verb “to be” include am, is, are, was, and were.
How do I use the verb “to be” in questions?
+You can use the verb “to be” in questions by placing it at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject.
Related Terms:
- Present to be worksheet
- Is am are online worksheet
- Worksheet verb
- ESL English worksheet
- English Worksheet pdf
- To be exercise pdf
