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English Grammar

“Present Be Verb”

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present be verb

Warm-Up Question: Talk about your family and friends. Where are they from? How old are they? What do they do?

Grammar Focus: Subject Pronouns + Be Verbs

  • We use subject pronouns instead of names:
    • I, you, he, she, it, we, they
  • We use be verbs to describe people, places, and things:
    • am, is, are
  • The subject and verb must match:

Subject

Be Verb

I

am

You

are

He / She / It

is

We / They

are
  • ✅ Correct examples:
    • She is a nurse.
    • I am happy.
    • We are students.
  • ❌ Incorrect examples:
    • I is a student.
    • They is my friends.
  • Use this grammar to:
    • Say who someone is or what they do
    • Describe feelings: “He is sad.”
    • Say where someone is: “They are at school.”
  • This is the first step in making full English sentences!

🗣️Why This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking

You hear am, is, are in many daily conversations

These words help you:

  • Say who you are
  • Ask questions
  • Give simple answers

✅ Common real-life phrases:

  • “I am from Brazil.”
  • “She is my friend.”
  • “Are you tired?”

Use this grammar to:

  • Meet new people: “I am a student.”
  • Ask about others: “Is he your brother?”
  • Respond clearly and politely

It helps you:

  • Understand native and non-native speakers
  • Feel more confident when speaking
  • Say simple sentences that people understand right away

This grammar is short but very powerful!

Let’s Practice

Language Games

Now, practice your language skills with these interactive games.


🎧🗣️ Listening & Speaking Practice Questions

Use these questions to help you talk about yourself and others using simple sentences like I am…, She is…, or They are…. Practicing with be verbs helps you speak more clearly and understand everyday English conversations. Try to answer in full sentences and use your own ideas!

  1. Introduce Yourself:
    What can you say about yourself using “I am…”?
    ➤ For example: “I am from Thailand. I am a student.”
  2. Talk About People You Know:
    Choose one friend or family member. What can you say about them using “He is…” or “She is…”?
    ➤ For example: “She is my sister. She is funny.”
  3. Describe a Group:
    Can you describe a group of people (your class, family, coworkers) using “We are…” or “They are…”?
    ➤ For example: “We are happy today. Today is the last day of the school week.”

Let’s Practice

Useful Expressions for Listening and Speaking

When we speak with others, it not just about giving long answers or understanding grammar rules. Great conversations happen when we show we are listening and when we ask for help if we do not understand something.

Two kinds of expressions are very useful in real-life conversations, and you can practice these expressions with the activities in these lessons.

✅ Expressions to Show Interest

When someone is speaking, it is important to show you are listening. If you just stay silent, the other person may feel uncomfortable or think you are not paying attention.

These expressions help you sound friendly, engaged, and curious. You can use them when someone tells you a story, gives you news, or shares a personal experience. Using these phrases makes conversations more natural, fun, and respectful.

💬 Reactions to News or Stories

  • “Oh, really?”
  • “No way!”
  • “Seriously?”
  • “That’s interesting.”
  • “I didn’t know that.”
  • “I had no idea.”
  • “That’s surprising.”
  • “You’re kidding!”

😃 Expressing Positive Emotion or Encouragement

  • “That sounds great!”
  • “Good for you!”
  • “Wow, that’s amazing!”
  • “How exciting!”
  • “That must be fun.”
  • “I’m happy for you.”

🧠 Showing Thoughtfulness or Empathy

  • “I see what you mean.”
  • “That makes sense.”
  • “I can imagine.”
  • “That must be difficult.”
  • “I totally get it.”
  • “Been there!”

❓ Encouraging the Speaker to Continue

  • “And then what?”
  • “What happened next?”
  • “Tell me more.”
  • “I’m listening.”
  • “Keep going.”
  • “Go on.”

✅ Expressions to Seek Clarification or Understanding

Sometimes, you do not hear something clearly, or you are not sure what the other person means. That is normal! Instead of saying nothing or pretending to understand, it is better to ask for clarification politely. These expressions help you ask someone to repeat, explain, or confirm something. They help you stay in the conversation and avoid confusion.

🔁 Asking Someone to Repeat

  • “Sorry, what was that?”
  • “I didn’t catch that.”
  • “Come again?”
  • “Could you say that again, please?”
  • “One more time, please?”
  • “Would you mind repeating that?”

🤔 Asking for Clarification

  • “What do you mean?”
  • “Can you explain that a little more?”
  • “What does that mean?”
  • “I’m not sure I follow.”
  • “Can you say it another way?”
  • “Could you clarify that, please?”

✅ Confirming Understanding

  • “So you mean…?”
  • “Let me see if I understand.”
  • “Do you mean that ___?”
  • “So you’re saying ___?”
  • “Just to be clear, you said ___?”
  • “Are you saying ___?”

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Disclosure: Randall developed this content through collaboration with AI, combining technological support with professional instructional design.
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