Unit 8 - Part 1

Summary

This video explains the essential verb 'to be' in English, focusing on its conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses. The instructor emphasizes that 'to be' is unique because it has its own conjugation forms, unlike most English verbs. Students are guided through different examples, such as 'I am,' 'he is,' and 'they are,' with explanations on how to form negative and interrogative sentences using this verb. The video also covers the verb 'to be' as an auxiliary verb, its role in asking questions, and its use in the future tense, with a focus on 'will be.'

Takeaways

• 😀 The verb 'to be' is unique in English because it has its own conjugation for each person (I am, you are, he/she/it is, etc.).
• 😀 Unlike most English verbs, which follow regular conjugation rules, 'to be' changes based on the subject pronoun.
• 😀 The verb 'to be' is crucial in forming both affirmative and negative sentences, and it is used as an auxiliary verb.
• 😀 In the present tense, the verb 'to be' is conjugated as 'am,' 'is,' or 'are,' depending on the subject.
• 😀 For negative sentences in the present tense, we use 'not' after the verb 'to be,' creating contractions like 'isn't' and 'aren't.'
• 😀 When forming questions, the verb 'to be' is placed before the subject, e.g., 'Is he a teacher?'
• 😀 In the past tense, the verb 'to be' is conjugated as 'was' for singular subjects and 'were' for plural subjects.
• 😀 In the future tense, the verb 'to be' always takes the form of 'will be.'
• 😀 The verb 'to be' is used in continuous tenses as an auxiliary verb, such as 'I am studying' or 'He is working.'
• 😀 'To be' is essential for English learners, and memorizing its conjugation is key to using it correctly in different tenses.

Q & A

Why is the verb 'to be' special in English?

The verb 'to be' is special because it is the only verb in English that has its own unique conjugation. Unlike most other verbs that maintain the same form in the present tense, the verb 'to be' changes its form depending on the subject (I am, you are, he/she/it is, etc.).

What is the infinitive form of the verb 'to be' in English?

The infinitive form of the verb 'to be' in English is simply 'to be'.

How does the conjugation of the verb 'to be' change in the present tense?

In the present tense, the verb 'to be' conjugates differently depending on the subject: 'I am', 'you are', 'he/she/it is', 'we are', 'you are', 'they are'.

What is the translation of 'I am an easygoing person' in Portuguese?

'I am an easygoing person' translates to 'Eu sou uma pessoa tranquila' in Portuguese.

Why do students need to memorize the conjugation of the verb 'to be'?

Students need to memorize the conjugation of the verb 'to be' because it is an irregular verb that does not follow the typical rules of conjugation in English, and it has different forms for each subject in the present tense.

Can the verb 'to be' function as an auxiliary verb?

Yes, the verb 'to be' can function as an auxiliary verb. For example, in questions like 'Is it raining?' or in continuous tenses like 'I am eating.'

How do you form a negative sentence with the verb 'to be'?

To form a negative sentence with the verb 'to be', you simply add 'not' after the verb. For example, 'He is not (isn't) at home.'

What is the structure of an interrogative sentence using the verb 'to be'?

In an interrogative sentence using the verb 'to be', the auxiliary verb 'to be' comes at the beginning of the question, followed by the subject and the complement. For example, 'Is he here?'

What is the difference between 'is not' and 'isn't'?

'Is not' and 'isn't' are both negative forms of 'to be', but 'isn't' is a contraction, and 'is not' is the full form. There is no significant difference in meaning, but 'isn't' is more commonly used in spoken English.

What is the future form of the verb 'to be'?

In the future tense, the verb 'to be' is formed by adding 'will' before the verb, resulting in 'will be'. For example, 'I will be there at 5 PM.'