The Verb “Be”

The verb “be” takes on different forms in the present and past.


The verb “be” indicates existence, temporary condition or permanent status.

• It is really hot today.
• Grady‟s not here right now.
• Greg and Tim are engineers.
• Trudy was sick yesterday.
• Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.

The base form is be, the past participle is been, and the –ing form is being

• I‟ll be back tomorrow.
• He has been a doctor since 1998.
• She is being nice today.

The verb “be” is also used in progressive tenses, passives and prepositional collocations:

Progressive tenses:

• He is writing a letter to his brother.
• Jeff was cleaning the house this morning.
• The Holleys have been living there since April.

Passive voice:

• The people were surprised by the news.
• Craig was stopped by the policeman.

Prepositional collocations:

• Tracy is fond of chocolates.
• Cassie is not afraid of snakes.
• I’m interested in making money.