Is (one)

Be: Review

Be takes on different forms depending on its subject and tense.

Previous lessons looked at am and are as linking verbs. In this lesson we look at is.

Positive Sentences

The basic structure for be as a linking verb with she, he, it is

(+): She/He/It
Joe/Mrs. Bean/This book + is + noun/adjective.
The store clerk (shop assistant)

Examples:
• She is our new neighbor.
• The mailman (postman) is here.
• Their uncle’s garden is full of weeds.

Negative Sentences

(-): She/He/It
Mr. Wood/The boss + is not + noun/ adjective.
That man
His apartment
Their daughter

Examples:
• That woman is not a passenger; she’s a ticket inspector.
• This soup’s not hot. This soup isn’t hot.
• Your internet connection isn’t very fast.

Exercise

Respond to the following sentences with yes, no, true, false, that’s right, that’s false/not true, I agree, I disagree; yes and no, in the middle, maybe, in a way, mostly, usually, sometimes, it depends. Say why and give examples. Make any necessary corrections.

101. My uncle is an engineer, and my aunt is a teacher.

102. India is a rich country.

103. My math teacher is nice and friendly. My doctor is also friendly.

104. Everything is made in China nowadays.

105. My (father’s) boss isn’t nice; he is mean and strict.