be

Used to say where someone or something is.

• The dog is outside.
• Are your shoes under the bed?
• We were at home all evening.

How to use it: be + place expression (The keys are on the shelf.)

Common phrases: be at home, be in bed, be near something

Used to say what someone or something is like.

• The sky is blue.
• Are you tired?
• The children were very quiet during the film.

How to use it: be + adjective (The water is cold.); be + descriptive prepositional phrase (They are in a good mood.)

Common phrases: be happy, be very tired, be in trouble

Used before a verb ending in -ing to show that an action is continuing.

• She is sleeping.
• Were you listening to me?
• They will be working all afternoon.

How to use it: be + verb-ing (We are waiting for the bus.)

Common phrases: be working, be waiting, be reading

Used to say when or where an event happens.

• The party is tomorrow.
• When was the meeting?
• The next match will be at our school.

How to use it: be + time or place expression (The concert is in the park on Sunday.)

Similar words: happen, take place

Common phrases: be on Monday, be at noon, be next week

Used with have or has to say someone visited a place and returned.

• I have been to Spain.
• Have you ever been to this museum?
• She had been to London twice before she moved there.

How to use it: have/has been to + place (Have you been to Rome?)

Similar words: visit

Common phrases: be to Paris, be to London

To act like another person or animal, often in a game or play.

• You be the king.
• She is being a cat in our game.
• I was the shopkeeper when we played yesterday.

How to use it: be + person or animal role (You can be the doctor, and I will be the patient.)

Similar words: play, pretend to be

Common phrases: be a dog, be the teacher, be a monster