It may be small but it is powerful! am, is, are are simple forms of the verb - to be.
Why do we use "am, is, are"?
We use am, is, are to describe the state, feeling, or state in which something or someone exists. But there is a problem: it is also the most irregular verb in the English language.
That is why we must begin to recognize this verb as soon as possible. The more we know him, the better!
What is the form of "am, is, are" ?
The forms of to be in the present simple tense
Long form I am You are He is She is It is We are You are They are | Short form I'm You're He's She's It's We're You're They're | Example I am late. You are clever. He is happy. She is hungry. It is cold. We are late. You are sleepy. They are great. |
Negation I am not late. You are not clever. He is not happy. She is not hungry. It is not cold. We are not late. You are not sleepy. They are not great. | Negation short form I'm not late. You aren't clever. He isn't happy. She isn't hungry. It isn't cold. We aren't late. You aren't sleepy. They aren't great. | Question Am I late? Are you clever? Is he happy? Is she hungry? Is it cold? Are we late? Are you sleepy? Are they great? |
In what do you use "am, is, are"?
They are used as auxiliary verbs that come in place of the verb. If there is no verb, you can use these words in two tenses.
- Present simple tense.
- Present continuous tense.
Am, is, are in the present simple tense
This tense is used to express recurring events and actions, permanent states, or things that are always true.
- "I" always comes with "am".
- "He, she, it" comes with "is".
- "You, they, we" come with "are".
- Subject pronouns + Supporting verb
Examples:
- He is handsome.
- She is beautiful.
- It is table.
- I am happy.
- I am Egyptian.
- You are teachers.
- They are dogs.
- We are players.
Am, is, are in the present continuous tense
This tense is used to express a continuous action in the present.
- "I" always comes with "am".
- "He, she, it" comes with "is".
- "You, they, we" come with "are".
- Subject pronouns + Supporting verb + Ing
- He is working.
- She is studying.
- They are coming.
- It is raining.
- You are working.
See: 7 Uses of I'M in English