Am, two
In this lesson, we go over the verb am.
Be as a Linking Verb
Linking (or copulative) verbs connect a subject with a predicate noun or adjective. The noun or adjective help define or describe the subject. Linking verbs have little meaning of their own.
Be is the most common linking verb. It has different forms depending on the subject and tense.
Am is the first person singular (I), present form of be.
Positive Sentences
The basic structure for sentences with I and be as a linking verb is
(+): I + am + noun/adjective
Examples
• I am a doctor.
• I am hungry.
• I am at school right now. Right now, I am at work.
Negative Sentences
(-): I + am not + noun/adjective
Examples
• I am not at home right now.
• I’m not a liar. Honestly.
• I’m not thirsty at the moment.
Incorrect: I amn’t thirsty.
Colloquial or “bad English”: I ain’t from Yazoo City.
Exercise
Respond to the following statements with yes I am, no I’m not, true, false/not true, yes and no, in the middle, maybe, usually, mostly, sometimes, it depends. Say why and give examples. If it’s not correct, correct it.
11. I am a hundred-and-seventy-five centimeters (175 cm) tall. Yes or no?
12. I am good with computers and the internet; I’m a computer expert. True or false?
13. I am an a) excellent, b) very good, c) good, d) average, e) mediocre, f) below average, g) failing student.
14. I am very talkative. I am quiet. I am in between. I talk often in class. I talk sometimes. Which is correct?
15. I am a winner. I always win in sports, games, contests. I never lose. Or, I don’t always win. I sometimes win. I seldom win.
16. I am very fast. I can run fast. I finish my homework and tests quickly. I learn math, history, reading, writing, English very fast.
17. I’m a funny person; I like to tell jokes and funny stories.
18. I’m very talented in singing, dancing, art, music, acrobatics, roller skating, skate boarding, sports.
19. I am hot-tempered. I am quick tempered. I get angry quickly. Or I am friendly. Or I am both, or I am in the middle.
