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first, you must learn about all the different forms that the verb
to be can take when it is used as a main verb.

Following are commonly used verb forms of the linking verb
to be. Note that the verb is irregular in most forms.

In the present tense, “am,” “are,” and “is” are the verb

forms of the linking verb “to be” used as a main verb.

Use the base form of be as the main verb when expressing
the future.

Be is the main verb in the sentence I will bea sixth grader
next year. Together with the helping verb will, it expresses
a condition that will happen in the future.

Iwill bea

sixth grader

next year.

Iwon’t bea

sixth grader

next year.

Tomorrow: Future Tense

Linking Verb to be

I’llbe

you’llbe

he’llbe, she’llbe, it’llbe

we’llbe

you’llbe

they’llbe

The common contraction

’llis a short form of will

and is used with all subjects.

Use the negative form

won’t with all subjects.

Today: Present Tense Today: Present Progressive

Main Verb to be Helping Verb to be

The contractions

’m= am, ’re = are, ’s = is

are used as indicated

above.

This example uses am

as a helping verb, not as

a main verb: Iam eating a

hamburger.Am is the helping

verb needed to express the

action of eating.

In the sentence Iama great
swimmer,amis the main verb
expressing a present
condition. As a linking verb,
it links the subject Jakewith
the noun swimmer.

I’m

you’re

he’s, she’s, it’s

we’re

you’re

they’re

Iam

youare

heis, she is, it is

weare

youare

theyare

Iama

great

swimmer.

eating

Iam

eating a

hamburger.