be*/*/*/

[biː]

verb summary: Be can have many different forms depending on its subject and on its tense: present tense I am he/she/it is we/you/they are past tense I/he/she/it was we/you/they were past participle been present participle being

1) [auxiliary verb] used with a present participle for forming a PROGRESSIVE tense of a verb

I am studying English Literature.[/ex]

We were having breakfast when Terry phoned.[/ex]

2) [auxiliary verb] used with a past participle for forming the passive form of a verb

Her husband was killed in a car accident.[/ex]

The orchestra will be conducted by David Norton.[/ex]

3) [linking verb] used for giving information about someone or something, for example their name, job, or position

Our teacher is Miss Tiwana.[/ex]

He wants to be an actor.[/ex]

It was a cold frosty morning.[/ex]

Baltimore is not far from Washington.[/ex]

Nancy is tall and very thin.[/ex]

4) [linking verb] used for saying how someone behaves, or for telling them how to behave

They are being very silly.[/ex]

Be quiet![/ex]

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have been to... — used for saying that someone has gone to a place and returned[/ex]

Have you ever been to Venice?[/ex]

there is/are — used for saying that someone or something exists, happens, or can be found[/ex]

There is a problem with the car.[/ex]

How many people were there at the party?[/ex]

There have been six serious accidents on this road.[/ex]

Questions and negatives with ‘be' are formed without ‘do': Are you busy? ♦ The book was not expensive.