The verb "be" is the most important
verb to understand in English because it's used to make various
verb tenses and the passive voice, but it's also used as a main
verb which causes some confusion for students who don't know
the difference between a helping verb and a main verb. It can
also be used as a gerund or as an infinitive. This is the last
lesson in this level.
Have you ever been to New York City?
(be = travel; visit. This sentence is in the
present perfect tense.)
The weather will be very nice today.
Yesterday wasn't very nice.
She wants to
be an Olympic diver
when she gets older.
("be" is in the infinitive in this sentence.)
He's a police officer.
(The verb "be" is often used when describing
occupations.)
The older boy is being mean to the younger
boy.
(This sentence is in the present continuous
tense and it describes behavior.)
She was
being too loud on the phone, and when someone told her to
be quiet,
she got really mad.
These tables have been empty all day.
He's in love with her. She's in love with
him. They're both in love.
Being in love is a common human experience.
("Being" is a gerund in the above sentence.)
She is going to be a
cat on Halloween. ("going to" future tense)
