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Be Verbs

Beginner ESL students can hear real people speaking natural English using Be Verbs. Recommended study plan:

  • Watch the video
  • Take the quiz
  • Listen again and read the script
  • Learn the grammar with the notes
  • Download the free book

Aimee: So Todd, where are you from?

Todd: I am from the U.S., I am from San Francisco. It's on the west coast.

Aimee: And what do you do?

Todd: I'm an English teacher. Also, I create Elllo. I work on Elllo a lot.

Aimee: Okay. How old are you?

Todd: I am 47. Yeah. I am old.

Aimee: No. That's not old. Who is your best friend?

Todd: My best friend is Don, he is a teacher too. He lives in America.

Aimee: And are you married?

Todd: No, I am not married. I am still single.

Aimee: Where is your mum from?

Todd: My mom is from California, she is from Los Angeles.

Aimee: And what does she do?

Todd: She is a manager, she works in a clothing store.

Aimee: Where is your dad from?

Todd: My dad is from San Francisco. He is not from Los Angeles, but he met my mother in Los Angeles.

Aimee: And what does he do?

Todd: He is also a manager, he works for a tree cutting company. They cut trees.

Aimee: Wow. That sounds exciting.

Todd: Yeah, cool job.

Aimee: Is it dangerous?

Todd: It is, a little dangerous. A little. And Aimee, what about you? Where are you from?

Aimee: I'm from Glasgow, on the west coast of Scotland in the United Kingdom.

Todd: Nice. And what do you do?

Aimee: I'm also a teacher.

Todd: Nice. What do you teach?

Aimee: I teach English.

Todd: Oh, me too.

Aimee: It's fun, isn't it?

Todd: It is. It is very fun. Excuse me, can I ask, how old are you?

Aimee: Of course, you can ask. I'm 34.

Todd: Okay. Very young. Very young. Where is your mom from?

Aimee: My mum is also from Glasgow.

Todd: Oh, nice. What does she do?

Aimee: Well, she's retired now, but she was a nurse.

Todd: Oh nice. And is your dad from Glasgow?

Aimee: Yes, he is.

Todd: What does he do?

Aimee: He's also retired, but he used to be a teacher.

Todd: Oh wow. Many teachers.

Aimee: Yes. Looks like it.

Todd: Well, thanks Aimee. Nice talking to you.

Aimee: You too, Todd.

Be Verbs (am, is, are) Simple Present

Point 1: The Be verb has three forms in the present tense - am, is, are.
  1. I am a teacher.
  2. You are a student.
  3. He is a nice man.
  4. She is very smart.
Point 2: Use am and am not for the pronoun I.
  1. I am American.
  2. I am not tired.
  3. I'm happy. (am = 'm)
  4. I'm not sad. (am = 'm)
Point 3: Use are and are not for the pronoun you.
  1. You are a student.
  2. You are not a teacher.
  3. You're a nice person. (are = 're)
  4. You're not late. (are not = 're not)
  5. You aren't late. (are not = aren't)
Point 4: Use is and is not for the pronoun she.
  1. She is my friend.
  2. She is not my sister.
  3. She's very smart. (is = 's)
  4. She's not here. (is not = 's not)
  5. She isn't here. (is not = isn't)
Point 5: Use is and is not for the pronoun he.
  1. He is my friend.
  2. He is not my brother.
  3. He's very smart. (is = 's)
  4. He's not here. (is not = 's not)
  5. He isn't here. (is not = isn't)
Point 6: Use is and is not for the pronoun it.
  1. It is cold today.
  2. It is not warm.
  3. It's easy. (is = 's)
  4. It's not hard (is not = 's not)
  5. It isn't hard. (is not = isn't)
Point 7: Use are and are not for the pronoun they.
  1. They are my friends.
  2. They are not from here.
  3. They're nice people.(are = 're)
  4. They're not my shoes. (are not = 're not)
  5. They aren't my shoes. (are not = aren't)
Point 8: Use are and are not for the pronoun we.
  1. We are here.
  2. We are not late.
  3. We're good friends. (are = 're)
  4. We're not busy. (are not = 're not)
  5. We aren't busy. (are not = aren't)
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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