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V4smb7 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Form of "be"

Hi,
What is the difference between "be" and "to be" ?
Please, explain with an example.

Is "to be" taken into account in a sentence when "be" is used as primary verb ?
Or
Is "to be" an infinitive form of verb "be" ?
  

Top answer

Hello, v4smb7—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member. v4smb7 What is the difference between "be" and "to be" ?

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  • Hello, v4smb7—and welcome to English Forums.
  • Thank you for registering as a member.
  • v4smb7 What is the difference between "be" and "to be" ?
  • Your question is too vague without your own examples of cases that confuse you.
  • v4smb7 taken into account What do you mean by that phrase?
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11 Answers
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Hello, v4smb7—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.

v4smb7What is the difference between "be" and "to be" ?

Your question is too vague without your own examples of cases that confuse you.

v4smb7 taken into account

What do you mean by that phrase? Please explain.

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You received a similar response when you asked the same question earlier today at UE. It would be better if you posted some sample sentences rather than just repeating the question in different forums.

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"taken into account" -> to consider something
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v4smb7"taken into account" -> to consider something

Probably not, then, but you will have to supply an example of your problem.

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Is "be" a base form also, if it is a dictionary form? Or
What is the difference between base form, dictionary form, and bare infinitive?
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The base form of a verb is that form from which most other forms are normally constructed. It is the form used as the bare infinitive (and the imperative) and, with 'to' before it, as the to- infinitive. If only one form of a verb is listed in a dictionary, it is that form.

There is no difference in the forms - we use whichever name is most appropriate for our purposes.
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v4smb7Is "be" a base form

to be, to take, to see, ...


These are called 'infinitives' or 'full infinitives' or 'infinitives with to'.


be, take, see, ...


These are called 'bare infinitives' or 'infinitives without to', or 'base forms', or 'plain forms', or 'dictionary forms'.

________________

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v4smb7when "be" is used as primary verb

As the main verb in a clause, it is never "to be". It can be "is", "was", "are", "were", "has been", and so on, but not "to be".


"be" can be the main verb only in the imperative (Be on time!) or in special situations which are more or less imperatives embedded in a subordinate clause (I insist th

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Are "is", "am", "are", "was", "were", "been" all forms of 'be' or 'to be' ?
What are the forms of "to be" if all the forms above mentioned are of "be" ?
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v4smb7Are "is", "am", "are", "was", "were", "been" all forms of 'be' or 'to be' ?

'Be' is the bare infinitive, base form or dictionary form; 'to be' is the full infinitive. Those are forms of the base or dictionary form.

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