Grammar - The verb 'to be'

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

The Present Simple

Grammar

The verb - to be

The Present Simple

To be

In the present tense, the verb 'to be' (zijn) is used in the following patterns: 

1. with a noun:

Donald Trump is the president of the US.

Miss Penning and Mrs Corrigan are English teachers.

2. with an adjective:

This soup is very tasty.

The children are good.

The Present Simple

The verb to be can be used in a shortened form?

This is used when we speak in English and nowadays, it is also common to see it in written English (although not in formal letters and texts). 

It is difficult.                   or           It's difficult.

She is on holiday.         or          She's on holiday.

He is a hard worker.     or           He's a hard worker.

I am tired.                       or           I'm tired.

We are students.          or           We're students.  *

They are funny.             or          They're funny.

You are my friend.       or           You're my friend.  *

The Present Simple

Be careful with some of the shortened forms: 

You're =  You are 

Your    =  That something belongs to you

We're    =   We are

Were     =   past tense of are

Where  =   what place (Where are you?)

Now you practice with the drag and drop exercise

1. I am studying English.

2. He are walking the dog.

3. We is in the classroom.

4. She is good at football.

5. They are my parents.

Correct

Incorrect

(not correct)

1

2

3

4

5

The Present Simple

Write three sentences using the verb to be 

Can you use the shortened form as well? 

Show them to your partner.

Great work!

Timmy

in H1P

They 

never on time.

I 

always early for school.

are

is

am

You are doing great!

Take a moment to relax with this short minions clip!

Congratulations! 

You have finished this lesson.

What have you learnt in this lesson?

What have you found difficult in this lesson?

The Present Simple

The verb 'to be'