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.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Green. I am a hard-worker; I am hard-working. I work hard. Yes or no? Or, I am lazy. Or I am both hard-working and lazy; or in the middle?

Blue. I am the first to finish my exam. I am the first to finish in races. Or I am the first to finish my work, homework, project or assignment. True or false?

Red. I am nice and friendly. I’m mean and unfriendly. I’m insulting. I’m a trouble-maker. Which is right?

Yellow. I am at school now. I am at work now. I am at home now. I’m in a cafe now. Which is correct?

Orange. I’m a city person. Or, I am a country person, or town or village person.

Brown. I am interested in . . . . What are you interested in?

 
 
 
 

Violet. I am good at blogging, social media and writing comments online.

White. I am occasionally late for school, or I am always early, or I am sometimes late.

Pink. I am the best student in my class. I am the best teacher in my school. I am the best employee in my company.

Black. I am very sociable. I like being with other people. I like to socialize.

Gold. I’m very helpful. I help my parents. I help my friends. I help my neighbors. I help out at school and work.

Purple. I’m a family man. I’m family woman. I’m a family person.