English · A1 · verb · 4 minutes
Be: present tense
Master am, is, and are for identity, description, and location.
Understand the choice
Be connects subjects to identity, description, and location. English normally requires an explicit subject, even when the form makes person clear.
Core rule: Present be uses am only with I, is with he/she/it and singular nouns, and are with you/we/they and plural nouns.
Notice it in context
I am tired, but my friends are awake.
Estoy cansado, pero mis amigos están despiertos.
Am agrees with I; are agrees with plural friends.
Where are you now?
What is your current location?
Are precedes you in a direct question.
She is at home, and we are in the park.
Her location is home; our location is the park.
Is and are contrast singular she with plural we.
What to remember
- The contractions are I’m, you’re, he’s/she’s, we’re, they’re.
- Do not contract am not as amn’t in standard English; use I’m not.
Common trap: Do not use is for every subject.