To be is like the = sign in math. It shows a relationship between the subject and the predicate. Sometimes, Arabic speakers for get to use it because it is often not necessary in Arabic. For example, "My name is Mr. David" in Arabic is just "اسمي مستر دايفد" without any verb.
Uses
Describing
John is taller than Ahmed
+
Ezdan Mall is a beautiful mall.
Nando's isn't my favorite
restaurant.
What color is that dress?
?
-
Jobs
My father is a policeman.
My mother isn't an accountant.
They aren't engineers at Ras Gas.
_
+
Location
My uncle is in the hospital
I am at the mall looking for new shoes.
My cousins are all students at Qatar
University
Where are you right now?
?
+
+
+
Time, Date, Weather
It is warm and sunny outside today.
The exam is at 12 o'clock.
What is today's date?
Form
Nota:
In the present, to be becomes "am, is, or are". The choice depends on the subject.
I am
you are
He/she/it is
we are
they are
you are
Singular
Plural
All Other Verbs
Nota:
"To be" is a special verb and has its own rules. All other verbs follow a different pattern.
Uses
Routines or
Habits
Everyday, I wake up at 6:30 in the morning.
Scientific
Facts
In the summer, the temperature in Qatar reaches more than 50 degrees Centigrade.
Likes/Dislikes/Preferences
My mother really dislikes it when I use my mobile phone when I we visit my grandmother.
Key
Words
Nota:
always, sometimes, never, often, usually, regularly, in the afternoon, in the morning, at night, on Mondays, every Friday, every day, every week, every month
Form
Nota:
Every verb must agree with its subject. Also, verbs in English change depending on the kind of sentence.
In a declarative sentence (+) the verb can be either the base form or the base form +s.
For example:
I swim at 7:00 in the morning everyday, but she swims at
5:00 in the evening.
+
The typical student at Qatar University has to finish Foundations before entering their major.
My parents want me to study hard and get good marks in my classes.
-
Nota:
To make sentences negative we need do or does
Qatar does not have any mountains
Most people don't prefer to take classes after 5 pm in the evening
?
Nota:
To form a question with other verbs, we need do and does
Does the average student get a job after graduation?
Where do you like to go on vacation usually?
Endings
Nota:
When the subject is he/she/it we add s:
She cooks
he drinks
The student studies
China producesAll other subjects use the infinitive form:I studyYou loveWe watchThey read