am, is, are

Be joins the subject to a noun, an adjective or a place. Use it to say who people are, what they do, how old they are, where they're from and how they feel.

Short forms

In speech and in messages, people use the short forms (contractions). In formal writing, use the full forms.

• I am → I'm
• you are → you're
• he is, she is, it is → he's, she's, it's
• we are → we're
• they are → they're

Negatives

Put not after be. The short forms are isn't and aren't. With I, the only short form is I'm not.

She's not and they're not are correct too and mean the same.

Questions and short answers

In a question, be comes before the subject.

In a short answer with yes, use the full form: Yes, I am, not Yes, I'm.

Age and feelings

Age, hunger, cold and other feelings take be.

Common mistakes

• × She from Brazil. → She's from Brazil.
• × I have 24 years. → I'm 24. or I'm 24 years old.
• × Yes, I'm. → Yes, I am.
• × I am agree. → I agree.
• × They is my friends. → They are my friends.
• × I amn't tired. → I'm not tired.