The verb "To Be" is one of the most commonly used verbs in everyday English. This verb can be easily contracted for easier use. Here you will learn how to use the formal and informal form of this verb.
* Click the examples phrases to listen.
Conjugations:
Present / Past tense:
- I am... I was
- You are... You were
- He is... He was
- She is... She was
- It is... It was
- We are... We were
- They are... They were
- You-all are... You-all were
Formal - No Contractions
- I am at home. I was at home.
- You are happy today. You were happy today.
- She is twenty-nine years-old. She was twenty-nine years-old.
Informal - Contractions
- I'm at home.
- You're happy today.
- She's twenty-nine years-old.
Use the formal form when speaking to people you don't know, elderly people, your boss and also, when you are in a professional environment.
Use the informal form when talking to friends, family and people you are familiar with. Contractions are an informal way of speaking.
* Note - Most Americans speak informally in everyday conversations.
These are the commonly used contractions:
- I am = I'm
- I'm hungry.
- You are = You're
- You're cold.
- He is = He's
- He's playful.
- She is = She's
- She's cheerful.
- We are = We're
- We're going to school.
- They are = They're
- They're playing outside.
- That is = That's
- That's my favorite movie.
- What is = What's
- What's your favorite number?
- How is = How's
- How's your day going?
You can also ask questions using this verb. Here are some examples:
- Is he ok?
- Is she sleeping?
- Is it going to rain today?
- Is that his car?
- Is this drink mine?
- Are you patient?
- Are they at home?
- Are those your shoes?
- Are these toys broken?