Verb “to be” affirmative and negative

UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA VICERRECTORÍA ASOCIADA DE DESARROLLO Y RETENCIÓN

Programa de Tutorías

Verb “to be”: Affirmative and Negative

Introduction •The simple present tense defines the time of the action, which is occurring now.

•The verb “Be” defines the act of being someone or something in a specific place in time.

•It can be an affirmative statement, as well as negative or interrogative.

Affirmative Statements • The verb “to be” could be in present tense: – am, is, are • The verb “to be” could be in past tense: – was, were • The structure to create the sentence: – Subject + Verb + Complement

• Examples: – Present tense: I am in the Condado beach.

– Past tense: Isabelle and Frederick were at Border’s.

Examples: verb “Be” Person

I

Verb “to be”, Present tense

Verb to be, Past tense

am

was

is

was

are

were

He She It We You They

Negative Statements • The verb “to be” could be in present tense: – am, is, are • The verb “to be” could be in past tense: – was, were • The structure to create the sentence: – Subject + Verb + Negation (not) + Complement

• Examples: – Present tense: I am not in the Condado beach.

– Past tense: They were not at Border’s.

Statements & Negative with verb “Be” Statement: I am happy.

Subject + verb “be” + complement Negative: I am not happy.

Subject + Verb “ Be” + Negation + Complement Statement: It is big.

Subject + verb “be” + complement Negative: It is not big.

Subject + Verb “ Be” + Negation + Complement

Statement: We are good friends.

Subject + verb “be” + complement Negative: We are not good friends.

Subject + Verb “ Be” + Negation + Complement

Interrogative Statements • In the interrogative statement, the subject and verb change positions.

• The verb “to be” could be in present tense: – am, is, are • The verb “to be” could be in past tense: – was, were • The structure to create the sentence: – Verb + Subject + Complement + ?

• Examples: – Present tense: Am I in the Condado beach?

– Past tense: Were they at Border’s?

Statements & Questions with verb Be Statement: I am happy.

Subject + verb “be” + complement Question: Am I happy?

Verb “be” + subject + complement+?

Statement: It is big.

Subject + verb “be” + complement Question: Is it big?

Verb “be” + subject + complement+?

Statement: We are good friends.

Subject + verb “be” + complement Question: Are we good friends?

Verb “be” + subject + complement+?

Revised by: • Prof. María Isaac – English Coordinator • Giulianna Murati Amador – English Tutor

February 2010