Pronunciation

change
stressed
unstressed

Plain form
be

Present
am, is, are

Past
was, were

Past participle
been

Present participle
being

Negatives:

None, isn't, aren't

wasn't, weren't

None

None

Contractions:

'm, 's, 're

None

None

None

  1. (auxiliary) (linking) A present-tense form of the verb be used about the person or people you are talking to.
    Hello John, how are you?
    Are you all hungry?
  2. (auxiliary) (linking) A present-tense form of the verb be used about more than one person.
    We are all happy.
    Are we there yet?
    John and Mary are playing.
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