To Be

We use auxiliary verbs to form questions, negative sentences, compound tenses (the perfect tense or the continuous tense), or the passive voice. Auxiliary verbs are also known as helping verbs. They are used together with a main verb to give grammatical information and additional meaning to a sentence.

Although there are 23 helping verbs in English, which include modal verbs (can, must etc.), the basic auxiliary verbs are to be, to do, and to have.

To be is the most common verb in English. It can be used as an auxiliary and a main verb.

My sister is kind (main verb)

My sister is cooking dinner (auxiliary verb; helps to build the present continuous tense)

Note that the verb to be is irregular.

You can use the auxiliary verb to be:

• when you don't want to repeat something

Everyone was working that day, but I wasn't. (=I wasn't working.)

• to deny something or say that it is not true

You're being unreasonable. - No, I'm not. (=I'm not being unreasonable.)

• to show interest in what somebody has said, or to show surprise

Kelly and Peter are dating. - Are they? Really?

• with so (when you agree) and neither/nor (when you disagree). In this case, an auxiliary verb goes before the subject.

I'm sleepy. - So am I. (=I'm sleepy too.)

My parents are never late. - Neither are mine. (=My parents are never late either.)

Guided Practice#

• His grandfather was a brave man.
• The students were working on a group project.

• Ann's husband was happy about the upcoming job opportunity, but she .................... . She wanted to stay in L.A.

• The party was a disaster. - Not, it .................... . It was a blast!

• Do you know that Samantha is moving abroad? - ....................? Are you sure?

• Jack is feeling uplifted. - ....................
• I'm not happy about the news. - ....................

Short Story using Auxiliary Verb To be#

-Max and Ann are getting married next month!

-Are they? Really? I am quite surprised.

-So am I! It all happened so fast. They have known each other for such a short time. It's crazy, isn't it?

-Yes, it is! And are they inviting everyone to their wedding?

-No, they aren't. I think that they are planning on having a small wedding.

-Are they? Well, maybe it's for the better. I am not a fan of big weddings.

-Nor am I.

Independent Practice#

Decide whether the highlighted verb to be is an auxiliary or a main verb in following sentences.

1. I've never been to Paris.

2. My friends were enjoying the hike, but I wasn't.

3. I'm trying to concentrate. Don't bother me with your questions!

4. Jenny was extremely upset after getting her exam results.

Give short answers using the auxiliary verb to be.

1. I wasn't upset to find out that our classes were cancelled.

2. Rachel's Thanksgiving trifle with bananas and beef was a disaster.

3. Do you know that Liz is going to participate in a beauty pageant?

4. Are you trying to say that I am wrong?

5. We are happy to be here with you today!

6. I'm not very interested in joining the club.