Review: Be as a Linking Verb

Forms of be: be, am is are, was were, been, being

The verb be can function as a linking verb (or copular). It links or connects a subject and a predicate.

(+): Subject + be + predicate noun/adjective.
(-): Subject + be not + predicate noun/adjective.

The verb be takes on different forms depending its subject and tense. In this section, we look at are.

 

Positive Sentences Forms with Are

Are is used with the second person singular (you), and plural (you, we, they).

(+): We/You/They
John and Mary+ are + noun/adjective.
The children
These chairs

Examples:
• We are from New Zealand.
• Tom and Ivan are rocket scientists.
• The soldier’s barracks are very clean

 

Negative Sentences

(-): We/You/They
Mr. and Mrs. Smith+ are not + noun/adjective.
Her sons/Our cars
Those referees

Examples:
• His dogs aren’t in the back yard.
• You’re not (You aren’t) a child! Act your age!
• The fans are not enthusiastic anymore; their team lost the championship match.

Incorrect: His dogs’re not mean.

Exercise

Respond to the following statements with yes, no, true, false, not true, I agree, I disagree; in the middle, some, sometimes, most, mostly, maybe, usually, sometimes, in a way, it depends. Say why and give examples. Make corrections if necessary.
 
 
 

Monday. New shoes are very expensive. Yes or no? Where do your friends buy their shoes? Where do new shoes come from?

Tuesday. My neighbors are nice and friendly. My teachers are nice and friendly.

Wednesday. The American Midwest and Plain States (or the middle of your country) are very boring places.

Thursday. Bazaars and marketplaces are very popular. Everyone likes to visit bazaars and marketplaces.

Friday. Hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza are delicious foods; or Hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza are yucky; or Hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza are not bad, they’re okay.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Saturday. All Swiss people are rich. They all live in big houses, drive nice cars and travel all over the world. Or, all Americans are rich and prosperous.

Sunday. All successful people are  very smart. And all smart people are successful. What jobs do smart people do?

Weekend. Art, music and physical education are important for children.

Weekday, Workday. Young people are very lazy: they don’t want to clean toilets, harvest crops or work in restaurants or hotels.

Day Off, Holiday. Villages are peaceful and quiet. I want to live in a village.