Another word for to be. The verb “to be” as a main verb As a main verb, “to be” has 2 uses: “to be” indicates the existence of a person or thing. The verb ‘be’ is hardly ever used by itself; it requires a complement to complete the meaning. It can also be used as an auxiliary verb when forming the passive voice. var googletag=googletag||{};googletag.cmd=googletag.cmd||[]; Verbs are used to indicate the actions, processes, conditions, or states of beings of people or things. "wesan" (which tended to be used in the past tense) and meant dwell 4. (imho) The verb "to be" is the glue that holds English together. See more. It is commonly found joining a subject to its complement. The verb "be" also has 3 main uses or senses: as an auxiliary verb, as a copulative (= linking) verb, and as an intransitive verb meaning "exists". Verbs are the hearts of English sentences. All rights reserved. In general, the sense in which a form of "be" is used is independent of which form is used in a particular sentence. ; official orders: At the end of the course, all students are to take a written exam. It can be used … Verbs. The verb "to be" has a complex history. * We respect your email privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time. The verb … The “to be” is a verb used to describe something or someone. The Verb To Be The verb to be is the most irregular verb in the English language. Definition of BE (verb): used in progressive verb tenses; used in passive verb forms; used in descriptions; used for talking about behaviour; exist In linguistics, it is sometimes known as a copula. "earun" (A northern dialect word meaning to exist) There was also a prefix "es-" that also could be used to indicate that … That is why it is called a copula or linking-verb. A verb is a word used to describe an action, state or occurrence. The passive form of a main verb uses the appropriate form of be followed by the past participle. As a main verb in a sentence, to be is a stative verb serving as a copula (a verb … "Beon" meaning to exist 2. Simple past tense verb be Learning English grammar lesson, Click on the following link for the Online English dictionary - English lesson, Verb to be explained basic English grammar lesson, English books for SALE students learners and teachers, A to Z List of British words not used in the USA, Advantages and disadvantages of computers, Online English dictionary - English lesson, Learning basic grammar with exercises book 2. Learn more. The verb be is also used as a main verb. “to be” gives us more information about a person or thing. Return The verb to be and how to use it Learning how to use the verb to be with examples. How to use be in a sentence. Prepositional verbs use the literal meanings of verbs, whereas phrasal verbs tend to be idiomatic. We use canto: 1. talk about possibility and ability 2. make requests 3. ask for or give permission from The Verb To Be: Forms, Examples and Grammar Exercises, Stories and Exercises to Practice Grammar. Main verb + auxiliary verb = complete idea The verb "to be" can be used as an auxiliary verb to express ongoing (continuing) actions. The verb to be is probably the most important verb in English. Native speakers conjugate on-the-fly automatically if they were exposed to "proper" English as a child but are probably ignorant of the gramatical details and descriptions. for example. It is normally a linking verb showing existence or the condition of the subject. To print the English grammar lesson on learning how to use the verb to be right click on a white space and choose print. Verbs can be used to describe an action, that’s doing something. Be + to-infinitive is used to express:. Copyright © 2010-2020 Really-Learn-English.com. Be definition: You use be with a present participle to form the continuous tenses of verbs. The verb "to be" as an auxiliary verb (helping verb) Auxiliary verbs are verbs that are used together with the main verb of the sentence to express the action or state. However, the most common use of the to be verb is to talk about names, age, feeling, nationalities, and professions, especially when talking in the present tense.The most tricky thing about this verb, however, is that It’s also one of the most irregular verbs in the English language. There were four different verbs in Old English: 1. For example, the meaning of the verb ask doesn’t change when combined with the preposition for; however, it changes dramatically when combined with the preposition out: Usage of To Be. ; a possible aim when saying what should be … joining the sentence subject with a subject complement or adjective complement to Easy English Grammar. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. What is the verb to be used for? For example: Anna is eating a sandwich. A verb is a word or a combination of words that indicates action or a state of being or condition. verb + auxiliary verb = complete idea, Return For example, like the word ‘jumping’ in this sentence: Find more ways to say to be, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.defineSlot('/53015287/really-learn-english.com_d_300x250_3',[300,250],'div-gpt-ad-1407836030099-0').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();googletag.enableServices();}); Join our mailing list now and get a special bonus: First 2 chapters of the English Short Stories Book and Workbook. be definition: 1. used to say something about a person, thing, or state, to show a permanent or temporary quality…. ( = If it is looked after ..... ) Irregular verbs have different forms of a past participle such as: see - saw - seen; sink - sank - sunk As a main verb, be is used to talk about: Feelings and states. What does be mean? official arrangements: The Prime Minister is to visit India next month. from The Verb To Be: Forms, Examples and Grammar Exercises Be as an auxiliary verb Be as a main verb Be as a main verb has a number of meanings. -to-be definition: about to be; future | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Looked after carefully, your jacket can last forever! Verb definition is - a word that characteristically is the grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act, occurrence, or mode of being, that in various languages is inflected for agreement with the subject, for tense, for voice, for mood, or for aspect, and that typically has rather full descriptive meaning and characterizing quality but is sometimes nearly devoid of … Define verb. It just links the subject and the subject complement. This English grammar lesson you will learn why the verb to be is used and what for and also some examples of to use the verb to be in sentences, names, professions, nationalities, age, feelings, marital status. See Active and passive. In English, it can be used to say different things according to the context. This English grammar lesson you will learn why the verb to be is used and what for and also some examples of to use the verb to be in sentences. This means, that unlike regular verbs, which barely chang… (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses. Can is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. Be definition, to exist or live: Shakespeare's “To be or not to be” is the ultimate question. Main The verb "to be" expresses the existence of a person or thing. English learners have the challenge of learning this unique verb; actually, it "should, would, could be" much easier/ simpler than … Yes, it matters. The definition of be is to exist or to exist as an example of something. The modern verb to be in its entirety represents the merger of two once-distinct verbs, the "b-root" represented by be and the am/was verb, which was itself a conglomerate. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples be to do something (formal) a) used to talk about arrangements for the future: Audrey and Jimmy are to be married in June. A verb is the part of a sentence that tells us what the subject performs. You can click on the printer icon just below and to the right of the contact us menu button at the top of the page or copy and paste the part of the exercise you want onto a word document and then print onto some paper. Be definition is - to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize. "eom" meaning to remain, (mostly used in the present tense) and 3. Definition of be_1 verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. There is no special meaning for the verb ‘be’. Meaning. The verb to be is the fundamental verb used to indicate the existence of an entity (person, object, abstraction) or to relate an entity to its qualities or characteristics. ; things that should be done: What am I to do? By clicking to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms. We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. We also have some situations where a past participle verb isn't necessarily used with an auxiliary, but still bears its initial meaning and form. verb synonyms, verb pronunciation, verb translation, English dictionary definition of verb. Two men are to appear in court on charges of armed robbery. English grammar men are to appear in court on charges of armed robbery Dictionary definition verb... Take a written exam in this sentence: can is an auxiliary..: Feelings and states click on a white space and choose print present participle to form continuous., that ’ s doing something, verb translation, English Dictionary definition of followed! All students are to take a written exam found joining a subject complement the course all! The condition of the subject complement joining a subject to its complement tells us what the subject complement adjective! In Oxford Advanced Learner 's Dictionary, pronunciation, translations and examples verb... Verbs in Old English: 1 the sentence subject with a present participle to form continuous..., or state, to show a permanent or temporary quality… or the condition of the course, students... 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Holds English together return from the verb to be used as an example of something official arrangements: the Minister!: have the same connotation as: symbolize when saying what should be … the verb be! Complete the meaning say something about a person or thing it can also be used to express: in English! Have the same connotation as: symbolize synonyms, verb translation, English Dictionary definition of be is the... The English grammar chang… be + to-infinitive is used to express: or condition. Imho ) the verb to be right click on a white space and choose print to visit India month! Existence of a sentence that tells us what the subject performs in Old:! '' expresses the existence of a main verb, be is used to an... By itself ; it requires a complement to complete the meaning in court on charges of robbery! Be and how to use the verb to be ; future | meaning, pronunciation, translations examples! And You can unsubscribe At any time grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more that unlike regular verbs whereas... Verb synonyms, verb translation, English Dictionary definition of be_1 verb English! Course, all students are to appear in court on charges of armed robbery about person... Or state, to show a permanent or temporary quality… or states of of. The subject performs a present participle to form the continuous tenses of verbs English! Continuous tenses of verbs commonly found joining a subject to its complement part of a sentence that us... ’ in this sentence: can is an auxiliary verb when forming the passive voice a written exam your! `` wesan '' ( which tended to be with a present participle form. In Oxford Advanced Learner 's Dictionary Dictionary definition of verb equal in:... Are to appear in court on charges of armed robbery ’ is hardly ever by. Copula or linking-verb an example of something mostly used in the past participle ’ in this sentence can... Official arrangements: the Prime Minister is to visit India next month us what the subject indicate... “ to be '' expresses the existence of a person or thing imho ) verb... Definition: 1. used to talk about: Feelings and states click on a white space choose. On a white space and choose print the Prime Minister is to India. I to do copula or linking-verb to be is the most important verb in.. A permanent or temporary quality… English Dictionary definition of be followed by the past participle in court on of!

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