A2daily

Present Simple "Wh" Questions- Daily 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. Why the sky blue?
  2. When dinner ready?
  3. Where you this weekend?
  4. Who your best friend?
  5. What the time?
  6. How the weather today?
  7. Why you late?
  8. When the movie?
  9. Where my keys?
  10. Who your favorite teacher?
  11. What your favorite color?
  12. How your family?
  13. Why she upset?
  14. When your birthday?
  15. Where they?
  16. Who responsible for this mess?
  17. What the plan for tomorrow?
  18. How you today?
  19. Why the store closed?
  20. When the next bus?
  21. Where the children?
  22. Who at the door?
  23. What your favorite book?
  24. How the cake?
  25. Why we still here?

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.