Be As An Ordinary Verb

Be is used both as a principal verb and as an auxiliary verb.

Be as a principal verb

Linking verb

Be and its forms (is, am, are, was and were) are usually used to link the subject with a following word.

• Alice is an advocate.
  
• Mary is very intelligent.
  
• You are wonderful.
  
• He was angry.
  

To express a command or request

Be can be used to express a command or request.

• Be quite.
  
• Don't be silly.
  
• Be off.
  
• Be a good girl.
  

Special uses of Be

Be is used in a number of expressions about physical feelings (hunger, thirst etc.) and physical conditions (age, size, colour etc.).

• I am Manju.
  
• She is 25.
  
• He is an architect.
  
• We are happy.
  
• It is cold today.
  
• I am thirsty.
  
• Are you hungry?
  
• It is very cold.
  
• He is tall.
  
• She is fair.
  

Sections in this article

Primary Auxiliaries
Be as an ordinary verb
Be as an auxiliary verb
Be: structures
Do
Have
Have: structures
Modal Auxiliary Verbs