Verb to be Present

Interrogative Form: (yes/no) + Short Answers

To form a question using “to be” in the simple present tense, we invert the subject and the verb. Here’s the general structure:

“Is/Are/Am + Subject + Rest of the Sentence?”

Let’s look at some examples:

Yes/No Questions

Be + Subject + Complement?

1. Is she your sister?
2. Are you ready?
3. Am I late?
4. Is it cold outside?
5. Are they coming to the party?
6. Are we there yet?

In these examples, notice how the subject and the verb ‘is,’ ‘are,’ or ‘am’ are inverted to form a question. Encourage students to practice forming their own questions using “to be” and the subjects they are learning. This will help them become more comfortable with constructing questions in the simple present tense.

Exercise 1, instructions:

Instructions: Use the verb to be to complete each question

Exercise 2, instructions:

Instructions: Listen and repeat the short answers for each subject:

Yes, I am	No, I am not
Yes, you are	No, you are not
Yes, he is	No, he is not
Yes, she is	No, she is not
Yes, it is	No, it is not
Yes, we are	No, we are not
Yes, they are	No, they are not
Yes, you are	No, you are not

Exercise 3, instructions:

Instructions: Listen and repeat the short answers for each subject using contractions

Yes, I am	No, I’m not
Yes, you are	No, you’re not	No, you aren’t
Yes, he is	No, he’s not	No, he isn’t
Yes, she is	No, she’s not	No, she isn’t
Yes, it is	No, it’s not	No, it isn’t
Yes, we are	No, we’re not	No, we aren’t
Yes, they are	No, they’re not	No, they aren’t
Yes, you are	No, you’re not	No, you aren’t

Exercise 4, instructions:

Instructions: use short answers and answer the questions, there are affirmative and negative answers

Please do not use contractions!

Exercise 5, instructions:

Instructions: Please listen to the questions and answer them.
1. Answer affirmative
2. Answer negative
Do it again (second time)
1. Answer negative
2. Answer affirmative

Are you a student?	Yes, I am / No, I am not
Is she your sister?	Yes, she is / No, she is not
Are they your friends?	Yes, they are / No, they aren’t
Is he a doctor?	Yes, he is / No, he isn’t
Are we going to the party tonight?	Yes, we are / No, we aren’t
Is it raining outside?	Yes, it is / No, it is not
Are you ready for the exam?	Yes, I am / No, I am not
Is she from Spain?	Yes, she is / No, she is not
Are they coming to the meeting?	Yes, they are / No, they aren’t
Is he tall?	Yes, he is / No, he isn’t
Are we late for the appointment?	Yes, we are / No, we aren’t
Is it hot in here?	Yes, it is / No, it is not
Are you interested in learning a new language?	Yes, I am / No, I’m not
Is she a good singer?	Yes, she is / No, she is not
Are they staying at the hotel?	Yes, they are / No, they aren’t
Is he a football fan?	Yes, he is / No, he isn’t
Are we going on vacation next week?	Yes, we are / No, we aren’t
Is it important to exercise regularly?	Yes, it is / No, it is not
Are you busy right now?	Yes, I am / No, I am not
Is she happy with her job?	Yes, she is / No, she is not

Exercise 6, instructions:

Please answer the questions