Conjugation of the English verb BE

The verb BE is the most frequent and most misused verb in English. It is also the most irregular. BE may be used as an auxiliary verb or as a linking verb. Here is the conjugation of the verb "to be":
Infinitive: | be |
Present Participle: | being |
Past participle: | been |
Person,Number | Present | Past | |
1st,singular | I | am | was |
2nd,singular | you | are | were |
3rd,singular | he/she/it | is | was |
1st,plural | we | are | were |
2nd,plural | you | are | were |
3rd,plural | they | are | were |
Contractions of the verb "to be" are very peculiar because some forms can be confused with possessive nouns and must be disambiguated using context. Finally, there is the forbidden word "ain't" which is used indiscriminately for "is not" and "are not" disregarding person agreement.
Learn about the usage of the verb "to BE"
© Copyright - Antonio Zamora