Asking a something

Question

uses of to be

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Do you mean the actual words 'to be'?

eg I want to be rich

or do you mean the various forms of the verb?

eg I am rich

eg You are rich

eg He is rich

Clive

Mister Micawber · Answer

be

verb and auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person am, 2nd are, 3rd is, present plural are; past singular 1st person was, 2nd were, 3rd was, past plural were; present subjunctive be; past subjunctive singular 1st person were, 2nd were, 3rd were; past subjunctive plural were; past participle been; present participle being.

-verb (used without object)
1. to exist or live: Shakespeare's "To be or not to be" is the ultimate question.
2. to take place; happen; occur: The wedding was last week.
3. to occupy a place or position: The book is on the table.
4. to continue or remain as before: Let things be.
5. to belong; attend; befall: May good fortune be with you.
6. (used as a copula to connect the subject with its predicate adjective, or predicate nominative, in order to describe, identify, or amplify the subject): Martha is tall. John is president. This is she.
7. (used as a copula to introduce or form interrogative or imperative sentences): Is that right? Be quiet! Don't be facetious.

-auxiliary verb
8. (used with the present participle of another verb to form the progressive tense): I am waiting.
9. (used with the present participle or infinitive of the principal verb to indicate future action): She is visiting there next week. He is to see me today.
10. (used with the past participle of another verb to form the passive voice): The date was fixed. It must be done.
11. (used in archaic or literary constructions with some intransitive verbs to form the perfect tense): He is come. Agamemnon to the wars is gone.

Asking a something

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions