Conjugation

Be

être

Irregular verb.

  • am, is, are

    Be is the most irregular verb: am, is, are in the present, was and were in the past. Its -ing tenses describe behavior: you’re being silly.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Who or what someone is, and how and where they are. To say no, add not: I'm not, he isn't, we aren't.

    1. I am
    2. you / we / they are
    3. he / she / it is

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am being
    2. you / we / they are being
    3. he / she / it is being

  3. Past simple

    Who, what, how, and where someone was. To say no, add not: I wasn't, they weren't.

    1. I / he / she / it was
    2. you / we / they were

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to be
    2. you / we / they are going to be
    3. he / she / it is going to be

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't be.

    1. (you) be
    2. let's be