Learn am, is, are, was, were, and future forms of the verb be with examples, visuals, and a free ESL worksheet.
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The verb “be” is one of the most important verbs in English.
Students use it every day to talk about:
- who they are
- how they feel
- where they are
- what they were doing in the past
- what is going to happen in the future
In this lesson, you will learn:
- am, is, are
- was, were
- be going to
- past, present, and future
This lesson is designed for adult ESL students and beginner English learners.
Summary
- The verb “be” is essential in English.
- Present tense uses am, is, and are.
- Past tense uses was and were.
- Future forms often use going to be.
- Mastering this verb builds speaking confidence.
Table of Contents
- What is the verb be?
- am, is, and are
- was and were
- Future forms with going to be
- Past, present, and future
- Common mistakes
- Speaking practice
- Free worksheet
- Final thoughts
What Is the Verb “Be”?
The verb “be” helps us describe: people, places, things, feelings, conditions
Examples:
- I am tired.
- She is a teacher.
- They are busy.
am, is, and are
| Subject | Verb Be | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | I am ready. |
| You | are | You are my friend. |
| He | is | He is tired. |
| She | is | She is happy. |
| It | is | It is a school. |
| We | are | We are classmates. |
| They | are | They are students. |
If you want additional guided practice, consider:
- https://www.englishclass101.com/member/go.php?r=4904301&l=%2F
- https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100992175-14103335
was and were
Use was and were to talk about the past.
| Subject | Past Form | Example |
| I | was | I was tired yesterday. |
| He | was | He was at work. |
| She | was | She was happy. |
| It | was | It was closed. |
| You | were | You were late. |
| We | were | We were busy. |
| They | were | They were at school. |
Future Forms With Going to Be
Use going to be to talk about the future.
| Subject | Future Form | Example |
| I | am going to be | I am going to be busy tomorrow. |
| He | is going to be | He is going to be late. |
| We | are going to be | We are going to be ready. |
| They | are going to be | They are going to be here tomorrow. |
Dynamic Infographic: Past, Present, and Future
| Time | Example |
| Yesterday | I was tired. |
| Today | I am tired. |
| Tomorrow | I am going to be tired. |
Remember
- Past = was / were
- Present = am / is / are
- Future = going to be or will be
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I is tired. | I am tired. |
| They was busy. | They were busy. |
| He are late. | He is late. |
Regular speaking practice is one of the best ways to build accuracy.
For one-on-one conversation practice, you may find this helpful:
Speaking Practice
Answer these questions aloud.
- Are you tired today?
- Were you busy yesterday?
- Are you going to be busy tomorrow?
- Is your teacher friendly?
- Were your classmates at school yesterday?
Free Worksheet
Get the Complete Lesson
Want the full lesson with:
- printable and fillable PDFs
- teacher answer key
- picture dictionary
- infographic
- speaking activities
- writing practice
- dictation
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Final Thoughts
The verb “be” is one of the most important foundations in English.
When students master:
- am, is, are
- was, were
- going to be
They gain confidence in speaking about the present, the past, and the future.
The verb “be” in some form is used in almost every sentence in the English language.
What Do You Think?
Which form is most difficult for you or your students: am, is, are, was, or were?
Does this lesson help you understand the verb “be”?
Leave comments and questions in the space below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Leave one or more sentences in the comments using the verb “be”.
I always reply.
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