Using is, am and are (beginner level)

The primary auxiliaries is, am and are are used in the simple present tense to show the connection between the subject and a noun or adjective that comes after the verb.

Read the following sentence.

Archana is an architect.

Here the primary auxiliary is makes it clear that both the nouns Archana and architect refer to the same person.

The primary auxiliaries can also be used to talk about states or the feelings that a person is / was experiencing.

She is upset.

He is angry.

That is ridiculous.

The boy is hungry.

Another use of be is to make continuous and passive verb forms.

She is crying.

We are beaten.

Notes

Use is when the subject is a singular noun. Is is also used with the third person singular pronouns he, she and it.

Use are when the subject is a plural noun. Are is also used with the pronouns you, they and we.

Use am with the first person pronoun I.

Complete the following sentences using is, am or are.

1. She …………………………… my friend’s daughter.

2. They ……………………………. all waiting for us.

3. You ………………………………… the most amazing person I have seen.

4. He ………………………………….. working on a new project.

5. It ………………………………….. easy to find faults with others.

6. They ……………………………….. impatient at the delay.

7. Soman …………………………………….. excited about the results.

8. Rohan and Sania ……………………………….. close friends.

9. My mother ……………………………………. a teacher.

10. Teachers …………………………………… underpaid.

11. We ……………………………………. all worried about his health.

12. I ………………………………….. waiting for his reply.

Answers

1. Is; 2. Are;  3. Are;  4. Is; 5. Is; 6. Are;  7. Is; 8. Are;  9. Is; 10. Are;  11. Are;  12. Am