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Lesson 1 grammar

Verb 'to be' β€” I am / you are / he is
Module 1 Β· A0 Foundations

The first grammar you need.

What it is

'To be' is the verb am / is / are. It links a person or thing to information about them: a name, a job, a place, an age or a description.

Look

  • I am Anna.β€” Your name.
  • You are a student.β€” Talking to one person.
  • He is my brother.β€” A boy.

Form

PositiveI + am / He, She, It + is / You, We, They + areShe is a nurse.
Negativesubject + am / is / are + notShe is not a nurse.
QuestionAm / Is / Are + subject + …?Is she a nurse?
Short answerYes, subject + am / is / are. Β· No, subject + 'm not / isn't / aren't.Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.

Form

Pattern

Iam
You / We / Theyare
He / She / Itis

Use it when

  • You say who someone is: I am Marco.
  • You describe something: The room is small.
  • You give a nationality, job, age or place: They are from Peru.

Remember

  • I β†’ am
  • he / she / it β†’ is
  • you / we / they β†’ are

More examples

  • She is my sister.β€” A girl.
  • It is a book.β€” A thing.
  • We are from Spain.β€” Me + others.
  • They are my friends.β€” Other people.
  • I am tired today.
  • My flat is very cold in winter.
  • We aren't ready yet.
  • Are your parents at home?

Say it: Short forms: I'm /aΙͺm/, you're /jɔːr/, he's /hiːz/, she's /Κƒiːz/, it's /Ιͺts/.

Watch out!

  • I student.

    I am a student.

    Always use 'am/is/are'.

  • He are tall.

    He is tall.

    He β†’ is.

Quick check

I ___ from Italy.

She ___ my mother.

They ___ students.

Lesson 1 Lesson 3
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Module 2 Β· A1 Core Grammar

The next step β€” actions, ability, and time.

Module 3 Β· A1+ Extending Grammar

Comparing, planning, and connecting ideas.