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To Be, To Do, and To Have
There are some irregular verbs in English that are formed in special ways. The most
common of these are the verbs to be, to have, and to do.
Table 4.7 Verb Forms of To Be, To Do, and To Have
Base Form Present Tense Form Past Tense Form Future Tense Formbe am/is/are was/were will be
do do/does did will do
have have/has had will have
Tip
Memorize the present tense forms of to be, to do, and to have. A song or rhythmic
pattern will make them easier to memorize.
Review these examples of to be, to do, and to have used in sentences.
Past (^) ← Present → Future
To Be
Yesterday I was angry. Today I am not angry. Tomorrow I will be angry.
To Do
I did my best yesterday. I do my best every day. Tomorrow I will do my best.
To Have (^)
Yesterday I had ten dollars. Today I have ten dollars. Tomorrow I dollars. will have^ ten
Remember the following uses of to be, to have and to do:
To Be
- I → am/was/will be
- you/we/they → are/were/will be
- he/she/it → is/was/will be
To Have
- I/you/we/they → have/had/will have
- he/she/it → has/had/will have