Notes to remember about the present simple of to be

Before jumping into the present simple of to be, I would like to mention some basic notes about this verb. To be or be is an important verb in English, regarding the numerous functions it has in the language.

To be is a static verb in that it describes how things are, compared to dynamic verbs which describe actions, i.e., how things are done. It describes their appearance, shape, color, smell, position, location, etc.

In some statements, to be can function as a linking verb that connects a subject to the other part of the sentence that gives us information about this subject. For example, Charles is American. In this sentence, “is” informs us about the nationality of Charles (subject).

To be can also be used with the main verb to form the present continuous tense. For example, I am reading a newspaper.

To get a better understanding of the verb to be, study the two tables below.

TenseFormation RuleUse/FunctionSignal words
present simplesubject+am/are/is– now
– at present
– for the time being …. etc.
(any expression that refers
to the present time)		– present situation
– general state

Affirmative/positiveNegativeInterrogative
I am at homeI am not at homeAm I at home?
You / We / They are at homeYou / We / They are not at homeAre you/we/they at home?
He / She / It is at homeHe / She / It is not at homeIs he/she/it at home?

NB

  • is not = isn’t
  • are not = aren’t

Practice

Exercise 1

Give the missing forms of the sentences in the table below

Affirmative/PositiveNegativeInterrogative
1. Jack is at home.1. ……………………………………….1. ……………………………………….
2. ……………………………………….2. ……………………………………….2. Is today Monday?
3. ……………………………………….3. They are not in Mosco.3. ……………………………………….
4. I am at home this afternoon.4. ……………………………………….4. ……………………………………….
5. ……………………………………….5. We aren’t in school now.5. ……………………………………….
6. ……………………………………….6. ……………………………………….6. Is that her book?
7. She is usually at home? 7. ……………………………………….7. ……………………………………….
8. ……………………………………….8. .He isn’t a teacher.8. ……………………………………….
9. The weather is very nice.9. ……………………………………….9. ……………………………………….
10. ……………………………………….10. ……………………………………….10. Are you so worried?

Exercise 2

Give the negative forms of the following sentences. The first one is done for you.

  1. My mum is at home.

My mum isn’t (is not) at home.

2. Paul and Mary are in the shop.

Paun and Mary ………………………….

3. His friends are very happy.

His friends ……………………………….

4. I am late for the cinema.

I ……………………………………..

5. We are at home watching a film on TV.

We …………………………………………..

6. Jill is at the zoo.

Jill …………………………….

7. I am at school.

I ………………………….

8. We are in a Chinese restaurant.

We …………………………………

Exercise 3

Fill the blanks in the following sentences with am, is, or are

  1. I ___________ here at present.
  2. They ___________ very rude.
  3. He ___________ always on time.
  4. Maria ___________ his classmate.
  5. The man and the woman ___________ in Central Park.
  6. You ___________ right and I ___________ wrong.
  7. The party ___________ fantastic.
  8. The baby ___________ happy.
  9. I ___________ glad to help you with your homework,
  10. You ___________ in the concert.
  11. . ___________ she there?
  12. Where ___________ you?
  13. Our friends ___________ there, but where ___________ Bob?
  14. The weather ___________ snowy and chilly today.
  15. The sofa and the chair ___________ old.
  16. Billie Jean King ___________ number one in their school.
  17. My cat ___________ in the corner.
  18. My parents ___________ on vacation in Mexico.
  19. How ___________ the movie?
  20. My father ___________ a film star.

Exercise 4

Use short answers to respond to the following questions

  1. Are you at home now?
  • Yes, I am
  • No, I am not

2. Is it hot today?

  • Yes, ………………………………
  • No, ……………………….

3. Are your friends at home?

  • Yes, ……………………………..
  • No, …………………………….

4. Is your father at work?

  • Yes, ……………………………….
  • No, ……………………………….

5. Are you in class at this moment?   

  • Yes, ……………………………………
  • No, …………………………………..

6. Is John at home?

  • Yes, ………………………………..
  • No, …………………………………

7. Are they at the cinema now?

  • Yes, …………………………………
  • No, …………………………………..

8. Are your parents at the station?

  • Yes, ………………………………………
  • No, …………………………………..

9. Is he in Warsaw?

  • Yes, …………………………………..
  • No, ………………………………….

10. Are you nice to your cousins?

  • Yes, …………………………………………
  • No, ……………………………………….

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