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.

Be as an auxiliary verb

With the Present Participles

Be is used with the present participles of verbs to make the present and past progressive tenses.

• I am writing. (Present Progressive)
• She was standing at the gate. (Past Progressive)
• She is knitting a sweater. (Present Progressive)
• You were sleeping. (Past progressive)

With the Past Participles of Transitive verbs

Be can combine with the past participles of transitive verbs to form the passive voice.

• I was shocked.
• He was treated badly.
• You are rewarded for your service.
• They are sold cheap.

Be + infinitive

Be can be followed by a to-infinitive. This structure is used to talk about plans and arrangements.

• I am to meet him tomorrow.
• He is to arrive soon.
• They are to get married next month.

Be + infinitive can also be used to give commands or orders.

• You are to finish your homework before you go to bed.
• You are to sit in that corner and keep quiet.
• You are not to misbehave with the servants.

Be + perfect infinitive

A perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) can be used after be to show that a planned event did not happen.

• They were to have been married last month, but had to postpone the marriage.

Be + passive infinitive

Be+ passive infinitive (to be + past participle) is often used in notices and instructions.

• This medicine is to be taken twice daily.
• The sticker on this bottle is not to be removed.
• This book is not to be resold.