IS, AM & ARE are the most used verbs (helping and main) in English. In this post, we will learn the use of is am are in English.
“Is, am, are” are the form of the primary auxiliary verb in the simple present form of the verb to be. In this post you are going to learn the use of is am are. All the rules, examples, and exercises are given below.
let’s look at the nouns or pronouns we use with is, am, and are.
- IS = he, she, it & all singular subjects
- ARE = we, you, they & all plural subjects
- AM = use with “me” only
✷Singular subjects – Rahul, Payal, Delhi, Mumbai, car, bus, table, etc.
✷Plural subjects – Students, parents, pants, tables, cars, etc.
Uses of is, am, are
To describe a person or a thing in the present
If you want to describe a person or thing in the present tense, use is, am and are depending on the subject and describe what the subject is like.
Structure – subject + is/am/are + adjective
Example of AM
- I am intelligent
- I am happy
- I am sorry
- I am smart
- I am so sad
- I am good at singing
Example of IS
- He is beautiful
- He is very hardworking
- It is a beautiful day
- It is his money
- Time is most precious
- It is not easy
- Her car is wonderful
- The weather is so pleasant today.
Example of ARE
- You are amazing.
- you are so sweet.
- The kids are in the next room.
- You are my hero.
- You are so beautiful.
- Her parents are very nice.
To name/rename a person or a thing in the present
use of is, am, and are is to rename a noun or a pronoun (subject) in the present. Here, we use a noun or noun phrase after is, am, and are to give a name to the subject.
Structure: Subject + is am are + noun.
Examples:
- We are students.
- Alison is my best friend.
- Evilania is an artist.
- I am a Pilot.
- They are my friends.
- She is a good friend of mine.
- He is my boyfriend.
- It is a great movie.
- Ms dhoni is a great cricketer.
- My father is an Army man.
- These guys are social workers.
- Sarah is a singer.
- I am a doctor.
To say what someone is doing right now ( in Present continuous tense)
“Is, am, are” is also used in the present continuous tense to talk about an action that is happening in the present.
Structure: Subject + is/am/are + V1+ing
Examples:
- I am working on a project
- Rohit is playing outside
- I am watching TV
- He is writing a letter
- He is teaching in the class.
- They are playing football.
- I am studying now.
Near future planned or arranged action
- They are going to Delhi tomorrow
- He is coming tomorrow.
- We are meeting today in the evening
- She is coming by 8 am train on Monday.
To talk about what is done in the present
‘is, am, are’ is used to talk about what is done in the present. Here, the sentences in the passive form of the present indefinite tense
Structure: Subject + is/am/are + V3 + doer
Examples :
- Sita learns her lessons daily. ( active voice)
- Her lessons are learnt daily by Sita. ( Passive voice)
- We prohibit smoking. (active voice)
- Smoking is prohibited by us. (Passive voice)
- She washes the clothes in the evening. ( active voice)
- The clothes are washed by her in the evening. ( Passive voice)
- People speak English all over the world. (active voice)
- English is spoken all over the world. ( Passive voice)
Some more use of is am are
Use of is am are in an affirmative sentence
An affirmative sentence is any sentence that is positive.
Structure: Subject + is/am/are + complement
Examples:
- Riya is your best friend.
- he is the new manager.
- Delhi is the capital of India.
- She is wearing a red saree.
- I am a doctor.
- He is honest.
- They are the player of football.
- He is very smart.
- My friends are planning to trip to Amsterdam.
- He is working.
Use of is am are in a negative sentence
A negative sentence is a sentence that represents a negative thought, action, or opinion.
Structure: Subject + is/am/are + not + complement
Examples:
- Riya is not your best friend.
- He is not the new manager
- Mumbai is not the capital of India.
- She is not wearing a new saree.
- I am not a doctor.
- He is not honest.
- They are not the player of football.
- He is not smart.
- My friends are not planning to trip to Amsterdam.
- He is not working.
Use of is am are in Close-ended interrogative Sentences
An interrogative sentence is a sentence that asks a question and always ends with a question mark. The answer to the close-ended Interrogative sentence is always yes or no.
Structure: is/am/are + subject + complement + ?
Examples:
- Is Riya your best friend?
- Is he the new manager?
- Is Mumbai the capital of India?
- Is she wearing a red saree?
- Am I a doctor?
- Are they the player of football?
- Is he smart?
- are my friends planning to trip to Amsterdam?
- Is he working?
Use of is am are in Interrogative sentences (Wh- types)
Structure: Question word + is/am/are + Subject + complement + ?
Examples:
- Who is your best friend?
- who is the new manager?
- what is the capital of Delhi?
- what is she wearing?
- Who am I?
- What is your name?
- Who are you?
- Where is he going?
- Where is he working?
Fill in the blanks using is am are
- I _____ teaching.
- You ______writing.
- It _________ raining.
- He ____ not bathing.
- They _____ not walking in the garden.
- We ____ not laughing.
- ____ they walking in the garden?
- I ____ going to India.
- _____ he doing his homework?
- We _____ all exhausted.
- Sita _____ in good health now.
- This gift _____ for you.
- There ____ a girl waiting for you.
Answers
- am
- are
- is
- is
- are
- are
- are
- am
- is
- are
- is
- is
- is
