Uses of be

The auxiliary be has five forms – is, am, are, was and were.

The forms is, am and are are only used in the present tense whereas the forms was and were are used in the past tense.

Be – uses

Auxiliary ‘be’ is used to form continuous tenses.

She is dancing.
It is raining.
I am waiting for you.
He was working in the garden.
The dogs were barking.

Be can also be used to talk about decisions, plans, arrangements, agreements etc.

You are to leave before six.
My cousin is to meet me at the airport.
They are to get married next week.

Be can be used to give a command.

You are to put your signature on top of your name.
He is to leave at once.

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate form of be.

1. My brother ……………… an engineer.

2. Why …………………. you yelling at me?

3. They ……………………. waiting for us.

4. Sania and Rohan ………………… classmates.

5. The wind ………………….. blowing.

6. The birds …………………… singing.

Answers

1. My brother is an engineer.

2. Why are you yelling at me?

3. They are waiting for us.

4. Sania and Rohan are classmates.

5. The wind is blowing.

6. The birds are singing.