Syllabus topic 1: Present simple forms of to be: am/is/are
Present simple forms of to be: am/is/are. Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals.
The idea
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Structure & examples
My sister is a teacher.
We are neighbours.
Notice the pattern
In a statement, put the subject before be: I am, she is, they are. For a question, move be before the subject: Is she ready? Add not directly after be to make a negative; do not add do or does.
I am happy today.
They are in the kitchen.
Important notes & common mistakes
Use she is, not she are.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Present simple forms of to be: am/is/are
Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals. Put not after be; move be before the subject in questions. Short answers repeat be, not do.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
I am from Spain.
Is your sister a student?
We are not late.
Are they ready? Yes, they are.
He isn't a doctor; he is a teacher.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
I ___ ready for class.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: am
Completed sentence: I am ready for class. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
The windows ___ open.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: The windows are open. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
___ your father at home?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Is
Completed sentence: Is your father at home? Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
You ___ very kind.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: You are very kind. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Question 1 of 50% complete
My sister ___ a teacher.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am
Completed sentence: I am ready for class. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: The windows are open. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Is
Completed sentence: Is your father at home? Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: You are very kind. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: Complete with am, is or are: My phone is on the desk. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: Complete with am, is or are: We are early today. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am
Completed sentence: Complete with am, is or are: I am from Lisbon. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Are
Completed sentence: Complete with am, is or are: Are they your cousins? Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: Complete with am, is or are: This soup is hot. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We are neighbours
Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. Use she is, not she are.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I am happy today
I am happy today. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. Use she is, not she are.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They are in the kitchen
They are in the kitchen. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. Use she is, not she are.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Is your room warm
Is your room warm? Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. Use she is, not she are.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Our teacher is very patient
Our teacher is very patient. Use am with I, is with he/she/it, and are with you/we/they. Use she is, not she are.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: am
Completed sentence: I am from Spain. Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals. Put not after be; move be before the subject in questions. Short answers repeat be, not do.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Is
Completed sentence: Is your sister a student? Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals. Put not after be; move be before the subject in questions. Short answers repeat be, not do.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: We are not late. Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals. Put not after be; move be before the subject in questions. Short answers repeat be, not do.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: Are they ready? Yes, they are. Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals. Put not after be; move be before the subject in questions. Short answers repeat be, not do.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: isn't
Completed sentence: He isn't a doctor; he is a teacher. Use am with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plurals. Put not after be; move be before the subject in questions. Short answers repeat be, not do.
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