To correctly use the verbs 'am', 'is', and 'are', you must match them to the subject of the sentence. Use 'am' with the pronoun 'I', use 'is' with singular subjects (he, she, it, a dog), and use 'are' with 'you' and all plural subjects (we, they, the dogs).
Understanding these three little verbs is a huge step in speaking English confidently. They are the most common forms of the verb "to be" in the present tense, and they form the backbone of many simple sentences. This guide will break down exactly how to use the verbs 'am', 'is', and 'are' so you can start building clear, correct sentences today.
What are 'Am', 'Is', and 'Are'?
'Am', 'is', and 'are' are the present tense forms of the verb *to be*. We use them to describe a state of being, an identity, or a location. Think of them as an "equals" sign in your sentence.
- Identity: I am a teacher. (I = a teacher)
- State of being: She is happy. (She = happy)
- Location: They are at the park. (They = at the park)
The key to using them correctly is a rule called subject-verb agreement. This just means the subject (the person or thing doing the action) and the verb must match each other. A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb.
How Do I Correctly Use the Verbs 'Am', 'Is', and 'Are' with Subjects?
Let's break down which verb to use with different subjects, from pronouns to nouns. This is the most important part of mastering these verbs.
When should I use 'am'?
The rule for 'am' is the easiest to remember: 'am' is only ever used with the pronoun 'I'.
- I am learning English.
- I am from Canada.
- I am thirty years old.
When should I use 'is'?
You should use 'is' with singular subjects. This means when you are talking about only one person or one thing.
This includes:
- The pronouns he, she, and it.
- Any singular noun (e.g., *the dog, my brother, the house*).
Here are some examples:
- He is a doctor.
- She is very smart.
- It is a beautiful day.
- The cat is sleeping on the chair.
- My phone is on the table.
When should I use 'are'?
You should use 'are' with plural subjects and the pronoun 'you'. This means when you are talking about more than one person or thing, or when you are talking to someone directly.
This includes:
- The pronouns we, they, and you.
- Any plural noun (e.g., *the dogs, my brothers, the houses*).
*A special note on 'you'*: In English, 'you' can be singular (referring to one person) or plural (referring to a group). In both cases, it always uses 'are'.
Here are some examples:
- You are a good student. (Singular)
- You are all good students. (Plural)
- We are going to the cinema.
- They are my parents.
- The books are on the shelf.
A Quick Reference Chart
Sometimes, a simple chart can help you remember the rules. Here is a quick summary of which verb goes with which subject.
- I → am
- He / She / It → is
- A singular noun (the car, a friend) → is
- You / We / They → are
- A plural noun (the cars, friends) → are
How Do I Use 'Am', 'Is', and 'Are' to Ask Questions?
To turn a simple statement into a question, you just change the word order. Move the verb ('am', 'is', or 'are') to the beginning of the sentence.
- Statement: She is tired.
- Question: Is she tired?
- Statement: They are from Brazil.
- Question: Are they from Brazil?
- Statement: I am right.
- Question: Am I right?
What About Making Negative Sentences?
To make a sentence negative, simply add the word "not" after the verb 'am', 'is', or 'are'.
- I am not busy.
- He is not at home.
- We are not ready.
In spoken and informal English, we often use contractions. 'Is not' becomes isn't, and 'are not' becomes aren't. The contraction for 'I am' is I'm, so for the negative, we say I'm not.
- He isn't at home.
- We aren't ready.
Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect
Learning how to use the verbs 'am', 'is', and 'are' is fundamental to speaking English. The golden rule is always subject-verb agreement: 'I' with 'am', singular subjects with 'is', and plural subjects (and 'you') with 'are'. Keep practicing by making your own sentences, and soon it will become second nature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do we use 'are' with 'you' even if it's just one person?
This is a great question that confuses many learners. Historically, English used a different pronoun ('thou') for the singular 'you'. Over time, the plural form 'you' became the standard for both singular and plural, but it kept its plural verb 'are'. So, whether you're speaking to one friend or a room full of people, you always say, "You are..."
What are the past tense forms of am, is, and are?
The past tense of the verb "to be" has two forms: 'was' and 'were'. 'Am' and 'is' become 'was' in the past tense (I was, he was, she was, it was). 'Are' becomes 'were' in the past tense (you were, we were, they were).
How do I use 'am', 'is', 'are' with the word 'there'?
When you start a sentence with 'there', the verb choice depends on the noun that follows it. Use 'there is' for a singular noun and 'there are' for a plural noun. For example: "There is a cat on the roof." (one cat) vs. "There are many cats on the roof." (more than one cat).
What are the common contractions for 'am', 'is', and 'are'?
Contractions are shortened forms of words that are very common in spoken English. The positive contractions are: I am → I'm; he is → he's; she is → she's; it is → it's; you are → you're; we are → we're; they are → they're.