USE
We use the verb "be" in Present Simple when we want to
say who somebody is - He is Rob.
say what something is - That is my mobile phone.
say where somebody is from - We are from Ireland.
say how we feel - You are hungry.
say where somebody or something is - She is at school. My book is on the table.
describe somebody or something - They are clever. Your jacket is nice.
talk about people's jobs - My mother is a teacher.
talk about somebody's age - I am fifteen years old.
talk about somebody's health - Ann is ill.
talk about the weather - It is cold today.
say that there is something somewhere - There is a book on the table.
FORM
AFFIRMATIVE
| Full form | Short form |
| I am | I'm |
| we are | we're |
| you are | you're |
| they are | they're |
| he is | he's |
| she is | she's |
| it is | it's |
NEGATIVE
| Full form | Short form |
| I am not | I'm not |
| we are not | we aren't |
| you are not | you aren't |
| they are not | they aren't |
| he is not | he isn't |
| she is not | she isn't |
| it is not | it isn't |
INTERROGATIVE and SHORT ANSWERS
| Question | Yes | No |
| Am I …? | Yes, I am. | No, I'm not. |
| Are we …? | Yes, we are. | No, we aren't. |
| Are you …? | Yes, you are. | No, you aren't. |
| Are they …? | Yes, they are. | No, they aren't. |
| Is he …? | Yes, he is. | No, he isn't. |
| Is she …? | Yes, she is. | No, she isn't. |
| Is it …? | Yes, it is. | No, it isn't. |
Note: In short answers we use pronouns (I, we, you, they, he, she, it)
— Is Maria a teacher?
— No, she isn't.
(Not: No, Mary isn't.)
