be

beverb

Be joins a subject to what it is, where it is, or how it is, and it also helps to form other tenses and the passive.

1. describe or identifyused to join a subject to a word or phrase that names or describes it

   This is the ordinary linking use of be. The word after be says who or what the subject is (a doctor, my sister) or what it is like (tired, blue, ready). Be cannot be left out.

   linking [L] verb + noun complement [V + noun] verb + adjective [V + adj]

   • Kim is a nurse at the clinic. V + noun
   • The sky was clear and blue. V + adj
   • My name is Omar. V + noun
   • Are you ready to go? V + adj

   Collocations

   phrase be able to do something, be about to do something, be supposed to do something, be worth doing

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Be must appear between the subject and the word that describes it. Many languages leave it out and say the equivalent of she happy or he a teacher; English does not.

2. place or timeused to give the place or time of someone or something

   Be links the subject to a phrase of place or time. The phrase usually begins with a preposition (in, on, at) or is a word like here or there.

   linking [L] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The keys are on the table.
   • Sara was at home all day.
   • The meeting is at three o'clock.
   • Where are the children?

3. there isused after there to show that someone or something exists or happens

   In this pattern the real subject comes after be, and there fills the subject place: there is a problem, there are two ways. In careful English the verb agrees with the noun after it: there is one book, there are many books. There's before a plural noun is common in speech: there's two ways.

   intransitive [I]

   • There is a small shop on the corner.
   • There were a lot of people at the station. (plural agreement)
   • Is there any milk in the fridge?

   Synonyms exist

   For translators (sense 3)

   Meaning across languages Some languages use their verb for have or a special word to say that something exists. English uses there plus be: there is, there are, there was. The there cannot be dropped.

4. -ing tensesused with the -ing form of another verb to show that an action continues over a period of time

   This makes the continuous (progressive) tenses: am working, is raining, were waiting. It shows that the action is or was in progress rather than complete.

   verb + -ing form [V + -ing]

   • Yuki is studying for her test.
   • It was raining when we left.
   • They are building a new bridge.

5. passiveused with the past participle of another verb to show that the subject receives the action rather than does it

   This makes the passive: was built, is made, are sold. The person or thing that does the action is often left out or added with by: the letter was sent, the house was built by my grandfather.

   • The bridge was built many years ago. (passive)
   • These cakes are made by hand. (passive; by hand says how, not who did it)
   • The window has been broken.

   For translators (sense 5)

   Grammar trap English forms the passive with be plus the past participle. Languages that mark the passive on the verb itself, or that avoid it, need care here: was seen, is written, will be done.

6. plan or orderused with to and another verb to talk about what will happen or must happen as a plan, an order, or something that has been agreed

   This use is a little formal and is common in news and instructions. It can give an order (you are to wait here), report a plan (they are to marry in spring), or say what is or was going to happen.

   verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf] formal

   • You are to wait here until I call you. V + to-inf (an order)
   • The two leaders are to meet next week. V + to-inf (a plan)
   • We were to leave at dawn, but the car broke down. V + to-inf

See also there (for the there is and there are pattern)