Why “To Be” matters
The verb to be is the most used verb in English. You need it for introductions, descriptions, jobs, nationality, feelings — everything. Master this first and everything else gets easier.
Identity
Who you are.
I am Anna. He is Tom.
Nationality
Where you’re from.
She is Polish. They are American.
Jobs
What you do.
He is a teacher. We are students.
Feelings & states
How you feel.
I am tired. She is happy.
The Formula
✅ Positive — full forms
I→am
he/she/it→is
you/we/they→are
he/she/it→is
you/we/they→are
Short forms: I’m · he’s / she’s / it’s · you’re / we’re / they’re
❌ Negative
I→am not
he/she/it→isn’t
you/we/they→aren’t
he/she/it→isn’t
you/we/they→aren’t
❓ Question
AmI…?
Ishe/she/it…?
Areyou/we/they…?
Ishe/she/it…?
Areyou/we/they…?
Real Examples
I am 25 years old.
Age — always use to be
She is a doctor.
Profession
They are from Germany.
Origin / nationality
It isn’t cold today.
Negative: isn’t = is not
Are you a student?
Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
Is he at home?
Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t.
Common Mistakes
✗ Wrong
She is doctor.
Jobs need an article: a/an
✓ Correct
She is a doctor.
Always: a/an + job
✗ Wrong
I am have 20 years.
Age: use “I am 20” not “I have”
✓ Correct
I am 20 years old.
English uses “to be” for age
💡 Memory Hack
The “3 buckets” trick
Sort pronouns into 3 buckets: I → am (alone, unique), he/she/it → is (one other person/thing), everyone else → are (you, we, they = more than one or groups). One bucket = one form.