A2business

Present Simple Negative - Business English "to be"

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The verb "to be" is the first verb you need in English, because it links a subject to a description, a job, a place, or a feeling. In the present simple it has three forms: I am, he/she/it is, and you/we/they are. Use it to say who someone is, what something is like, or where things are: "I am the new accounts manager," "She is in a meeting until eleven," "Our offices are in Lyon." In speech and informal writing we usually contract it: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're, as in "We're ready to start" or "He's available this afternoon." A key point: "to be" does not need "do" or an extra verb. To make a question, move "be" in front of the subject ("Are you free on Tuesday?"); to make a negative, add "not" after it ("I am not sure" / "She isn't here today"). The most common pitfall for learners is matching the wrong form to the subject, or adding "do": say "She is busy," never "She are busy" or "She does be busy." Notice too that English often uses "to be" where some other languages use "have", we say "I am thirty" and "I am cold," not "I have thirty."

Let's practise. Type each answer and press Enter, I'll check it with you.

  1. I available for the meeting tomorrow.
  2. She the head of the department.
  3. They ready to present the report.
  4. We satisfied with the current results.
  5. He responsible for this project.
  6. You required to attend the workshop.
  7. It feasible to complete the task today.
  8. I confident about this strategy.
  9. She a participant in the conference.
  10. They happy with the new policy.
  11. We open to new partnerships at this time.
  12. He in the office today.
  13. You authorized to make that decision.
  14. It a good time for a meeting.
  15. I familiar with the new software.
  16. She a part of the team anymore.
  17. They in the main office today.
  18. We prepared for the audit.
  19. He the point of contact for this issue.
  20. You included in the email list.
  21. It a priority at the moment.
  22. I aware of the latest updates.
  23. She happy with her current role.
  24. They aligned with their deadlines.
  25. We keen on expanding this year.

Common questions

What is the difference between am, is, and are in the present simple?

They are the three present forms of "to be", chosen by the subject. Use "am" only with I (I am ready). Use "is" with he, she, it, and singular nouns (She is the manager; the report is late). Use "are" with you, we, they, and plural nouns (You are early; the clients are here).

How do I make negatives and questions with the verb to be?

Do not use "do". For a negative, put "not" after the verb: "I am not free," "He is not (isn't) in the office," "They are not (aren't) ready." For a question, put the verb before the subject: "Am I late?", "Is she the new director?", "Are you available on Friday?" Short answers reuse the verb: "Yes, I am." / "No, they aren't."

When do I use contractions like I'm, he's, and we're?

Contractions join the subject and "be" (I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're) and are normal in conversation, emails, and most everyday writing: "I'm pleased to meet you," "We're delighted with the results." Use the full forms (I am, she is) in formal documents or for emphasis: "I am certain this is correct." Negatives contract too: isn't, aren't.