Inter American University of Puerto RicoGuayama Campus

Title V Cooperative ProjectVerb To BE Present Tense ModuleProf. Marisol Piazza Aguirre

Instructions

Use the following buttons to navigate through this

module:

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Purpose

This module proposes to expand the basic

teaching-learning activities of English included inthe Title V Cooperative Project: “Improving AcademicOutcomes Through a Teaching-Based Consortium Program for the Core Curriculum”. The project isintegrated by the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce from where it is directed, the Arecibo, Mayagüez and Guayama Campuses, the School ofPlastic Arts of Puerto Rico and Inter American Universityof Puerto Rico, Guayama Campus.

Introduction

One of the most important verbs an ESL

(English as a Second Language) student should masterto communicate effectively in English orally as well as inwritten form is the Verb To BE in the Present Tense. This module has been designed for all collegestudents but specially for you students who are registered in the basic English as a Second Language I,GEEN 1101 course. In this module you will study andreview the rules of how to use the Verb To BE in the Present Tense correctly.

Objectives

General Objective:

By the end of this module, the student will develop

confidence and demonstrate knowledge using the Verb To BE

in the Present Tense in oral and written form to express state of

being, location, feelings, health, time, weather, and other factual

information.

Specific Objective:

At the end of this module, the student will learn how to

use affirmative and negative sentences, direct questions,

short yes/no answers, wh-questions (information questions) and

answers giving pertinent information using the Verb To BE in the

Present Tense.

Pre-Test (Affirmative Sentences)

Select the best answer.__ 1. I am not from Mexico. I ____ from Puerto Rico. (A) are (B) am (C) is __ 2. Jennifer López ____ a popular Latin actress and singer. (A) are (B) am (C) is

__ 3. Ricky Bones and Carlos Beltrán ____ famous Puerto Rican baseball players. (A) are (B) am (C) is

__ 4. Río de Janeiro ____ the capital of Brazil. (A) are (B) am (C) is

__ 5. You and I ____ in Prof. Rivera’s English course, room A-10. (A) are (B) am (C) is

Pre-Test (Negative Sentences)

__ 6. Steven Spielberg ____ a painter. He’s a movie director. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __ 7. Today ____ my birthday. It’s next Friday. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __ 8. The Dalmatians ____ dangerous dogs. They are obedient and playful. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __ 9. I ____ in the kitchen. I am in the laundry room. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __10. Ronnie and Jennifer ____ absent. They are in the library. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not

Pre-Test (Yes/No Questions)

__ 11. ____ your dental appointment at 9:30 AM? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are __ 12. ____ I a qualified candidate for the sales position? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

__ 13. ____ the neighborhood a safe place to live? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

__ 14. ____ you very busy right now? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

__ 15. ____ the students in the language laboratory now? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

Pre-Test (Information Questions)

__ 16. What ____ your cell phone number? (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 17. Why ____ I so nervous? Maybe because of the oral report. (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 18. How ____ you and all your family? (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 19. Who ____ the manager of the store? (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 20. Why ____ they home so late? (A) am (B) is (C) are

Pre-Test Answer Key

1. B 11. B 2. C 12. A 3. A 13. B 4. C 14. C 5. A 15. C 6. B 16. B 7. B 17. A 8. C 18. C 9. A 19. B10. C 20. C

Pre-Test Evaluation

Total Correct Answers:

20 Excellent: Go to the Post Test.

19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer and go to the

Post Test.

18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, study the rules

presented in this module, do the practice exercises

and then go to the Post Test.

11 or You Need More Practice: Study the module, review the

less rules carefully and do the practice exercises. When

you improve your score, you may go to the Post Test.

Verb BE Present Tense

The Verb To BE is used to express:

state of being → ( I am a student.) location → ( I am in the university.) feelings → ( I am happy.) descriptions → ( He is tall.) health → ( He is sick.) conditions → ( The house is old.) weather → ( It is sunny.) time → ( It is 5:30 PM.) nationality → ( She is Chinese.) colors → ( The curtains are green.) sizes → ( The blouse is medium.) dates → ( It is December 24th.) moods → ( John is angry.) prices → ( The brown leather coat is $75.00.) etc…

Verb BE Present Tense

The Verb To BE has three forms in the

Present Tense: amisare

Some Time Expressions

today every day every week every weekend… always usually often sometimes seldom occasionally never…

Verb BE Affirmative Statements

Singular

Subject BE

I am a student.

You (usted) are intelligent.

He

is

in the library.

She

It interesting.

Verb BE Affirmative Statements

Plural

Subject BE

You (ustedes)

are

late today.

We on a cruise.

They from Costa Rica.

Affirmative Statements

More Examples: 1. I am an accounting student. 2. My name is Alicia. It is a pleasure to meet you. 3. You (usted) are a responsible person. 4. Carol is in the cafeteria. 5. Pablo is absent today. 6. Wal-Mart is open every day. 7. The monkey is high up in the tree. 8. We are hungry and thirsty. 9. You (ustedes) are in the correct room. 10. Computers are complex machines.

Negative Statements

Singular

Subject BE NOT

I am not a designer.

You (usted) are not sincere.

He

She

It

is not in the library.

beautiful.

Negative Statements

Plural

Subject BE NOT

You (ustedes)

are not

late today.

We on a cruise.

They from Costa Rica.

Negative Statements

More Examples:

1. I am not an accounting student.

2. My name is not Alicia. It is Aixa.

3. You (usted) are not a responsible person.

4. Carol is not in the cafeteria.

5. Pablo is not absent today.

6. Wal-Mart is not open every day.

7. The monkey is not high up in the tree.

8. We are not hungry and thirsty.

9. You (ustedes) are not in the correct room.

10. Computers are not complex machines.

Verb BE Contractions

Contractions: A contraction is the combination of two

words into one. In contractions, letters are replaced with

an apostrophe (’).

Verb BE Contractions (Affirmative)

Complete Form Contraction I am I’m

You are

You’re

He is He’s

She is She’s

It is It’s

We are We’re

You are You’re

They are They’re

Verb BE Contractions in Affirmative Statements

1. I am Puerto Rican.

2. You are a friendly person.

3. He is at the baseball game.

4. She is eighteen years old.

5. It is 12:00 o’clock noon.

6. We are in the library.

7. You are quiet today.

8. They are fraternal twins.

1. I’m Puerto Rican.

2. You’re a friendly person.

3. He’s at the baseball game.

4. She’s eighteen years old.

5. It’s 12:00 o’clock noon.

6. We’re in the library.

7. You’re quiet today.

8. They’re fraternal twins.

Verb BE Contractions (Negative)

Complete Form ContractionI am not I’m not -

You are not You’re not You aren’t

He is not He’s not He isn’t

She is not She’s not She isn’t

It is not It’s not It isn’t

We are not We’re not We aren’t

You are not You’re not You aren’t

They are not They’re not They aren’t

Verb BE Contractions in Negative Statements

1. I am not French.

2. You are not a friendly person.

3. He is not at the baseball game.

4. She is not eighteen years old.

5. It is not 12:00 o’clock noon.

6. We are not in the library.

7. You are not quiet today.

8. They are not fraternal twins.

1. I’m not French.

2. You’re not (aren’t) a friendly person.

3. He’s not (isn’t) at the baseball game.

4. She’s not (isn’t) eighteen years old.

5. It’s not (isn’t) 12:00 o’clock noon.

6. We’re not (aren’t) in the library.

7. You’re not (aren’t) quiet today.

8. They’re not (aren’t) fraternal twins.

Language Notes

We can make a contraction with the subject pronoun + am, is, or are.

Examples:

I am→ I’m he is→ he’s

you are→ you’re she is→ she’s

we are→ we’re it is→ it’s

they are→ they’re

Language Notes

We can make a contraction with most nouns + is. Examples: My grandmother’s energetic. (grandmother is)

Your dog’s playful. (dog is)

We don’t make a contraction with is if the noun ends in letters: s, se, ce, ze, sh, ch, or x.

Examples: A mouse is a small animal. A fox is a relative of a dog.

Language Notes

We don’t make a contraction with a noun and are.

Example: The children are ready.

We can make a contraction with there + is.

Example: There is a sandwich on the table.

There’s a sandwich on the table.

We don’t make a contraction with there + are.

Example: There are many excellent recipe books.

Language Notes

The negative contractions are: isn’t and aren’t.

Examples: She isn’t home.

You aren’t patient.

There is no contraction for am not.

Yes/No Questions and Short Answers

Question BE

Subject

Am I

late ?

Are you (usted)

Is he

she

It

Are you (ustedes)

we

they

Yes/No Questions and Short Answers

Short Answers

Affirmative Negative Yes, you are. No, you’re not. / No, you aren’t.

Yes, I am. No, I’m not.

Yes, he is.

Yes, she is.

Yes, it is.

No, he’s not. / No, he isn’t.

No, she’s not. / No, she isn’t.

No, it’s not. / No, it isn’t.

Yes, we are.

Yes, you are.

Yes, they are.

No, we’re not. / No, we aren’t.

No, you’re not. / No, you aren’t.

No, they’re not. / No, they aren’t.

Yes/No Questions and Short Answers

More Examples: 1. (Q) Are you (usted) from Puerto Rico?

(A) Yes, I am. / No, I am not. / No, I’m not.

2. (Q) Am I on the English 1101 official course list?

(A) Yes, you are. / No, you’re not. / No, you aren’t.

3. (Q) Is your father a business man?

(A) Yes, he is. / No, he’s not. / No, he isn’t.

4. (Q) Is Jennifer at the supermarket?

(A) Yes, she is. / No, she’s not. / No, she isn’t.

Yes/No Questions and Short Answers

5. (Q) Is the Toyota Camry a safe car?

(A) Yes, it is. / No, it’s not. / No, it isn’t.

6. (Q) Are you (ustedes) comfortable?

(A) Yes, we are. / No, we’re not. / No, we aren’t.

7. (Q) Are we on time for the concert?

(A) Yes, you are. / No, you’re not. / No, you aren’t.

8. (Q) Are Miguel and Carlos certified electricians?

(A) Yes, they are. / No, they’re not. / No, they aren’t.

Wh-Questions (Information Questions)

Question Word Questions AnswersWho (person) Who is Vanessa Williams? She is a famous tennis

player.

What (thing) What is your nationality? My nationality is Puerto Rican.

When (time) When are the Income Tax Forms due?

They are due on April 15th.

Why (reason) Why are you (ustedes) late?

We are late because traffic is terrible.

Where (place) Where am I? You are in the hospital.

How (description, health)

How is your new job? It is fun and interesting.

Whose (possession) Whose MP3 is this? It is Ana’s MP3.

Wh-Questions and Answers

More Examples:

1. (Q) Who are Isabel Allende and Ana Lydia Vega? (A) They are famous Latin novel writers.

2. (Q) What is your computer password? (A) It is a secret.

3. (Q) When is Labor Day? (A) It is on September 4th.

4. (Q) Where are the car keys? (A) They are on the kitchen counter.

Wh-Questions and Answers

5. (Q) Why is Juan trembling?

(A) He is trembling because he is cold.

6. (Q) How much is the English book?

(A) It is $29.95.

7. (Q) Whose calculator is this?

(A) It is Andrea’s calculator.

Practice Exercises (Affirmative Sentences)

Select the best answer.

__ 1. Marilyn had a baby. It ____ a gorgeous boy. (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 2. It’s raining. Get the umbrella. ____ near the door. (A) I’m (B) He’s (C) It’s

__ 3. ____ cold. Please turn off the air conditioner. (A) I’m (B) I’s (C) I’re

__ 4. There ____ an extra towel in the closet. Use it. (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 5. The Admissions and Financial Aid offices ____ on the first floor. (A) am (B) is (C) are

Practice Exercises (Negative Sentences)

__ 6. A college education ____ free. It’s expensive. (A) am not (B) aren’t (C) isn’t

__ 7. The party ____ at 6:00 o’clock. It’s at 7:30 PM. (A) isn’t (B) am not (C) aren’t

__ 8. I ____ single. I’m married. (A) am not (B) isn’t (C) aren’t

__ 9. Chicago and Orlando ____ states. They’re cities. (A) isn’t (B) am not (C) aren’t

__10. David and I ____ at the post office. We’re at the bank. (A) aren’t (B) isn’t (C) am not

Practice Exercises (Yes/No Questions)

___ 11. ____ there a city map in the car? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

___ 12. ____ the children at the park or at the zoo? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

___ 13. ____ there good hotels and restaurants in this area? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are ___ 14. ____ I the leader of the group? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

___ 15. ____ Toyotas economical and safe cars? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

Practice Exercises (Information Questions)

___ 16. Where ____ the Statue of Liberty? It’s in New York. (A) are (B) am (C) is ___ 17. Who ____ Antonio Banderas? He’s a handsome actor. (A) are (B) is (C) am

___ 18. Why ____ I on the Dean’s Honor Students List? Because you’re intelligent. (A) am (B) are (C) is

___ 19. What color ____ your new gym shoes? They’re navy blue. (A) are (B) am (C) is

___ 20. When ____ traffic very heavy? It’s heavy at noon. (A) is (B) are (C) am

Practice Exercise Answer Key

1. B 11. B2. C 12. C 3. A 13. C 4. B 14. A 5. C 15. C 6. C 16. C 7. A 17. B 8. A 18. A 9. C 19. A 10. A 20. A

Practice Exercise Evaluation

Total Correct Answers:

20 Excellent: Go to the Post Test.

19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer and go to the

Post Test.

18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, consult the module

again and then go to the Post Test.

11 or You Need More Practice: Study the module, review the

less rules carefully and do the practice exercises again.

When you understand the rules and improve your

score, you may go to the Post Test.

Post Test (Affirmative Sentences)

Select the best answer.__ 1. I am not from Mexico. I ____ from Puerto Rico. (A) are (B) am (C) is __ 2. Jennifer López ____ a popular Latin actress and singer. (A) are (B) am (C) is

__ 3. Ricky Bones and Carlos Beltrán ____ famous Puerto Rican baseball players. (A) are (B) am (C) is

__ 4. Río de Janeiro ____ the capital of Brazil. (A) are (B) am (C) is

__ 5. You and I ____ in Prof. Rivera’s English course, room A-10. (A) are (B) am (C) is

Post Test (Negative Sentences)

__ 6. Steven Spielberg ____ a painter. He’s a movie director. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __ 7. Today ____ my birthday. It’s next Friday. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __ 8. The Dalmatians ____ dangerous dogs. They are obedient and playful. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __ 9. I ____ in the kitchen. I am in the laundry room. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not __10. Ronnie and Jennifer ____ absent. They are in the library. (A) am not (B) is not (C) are not

Post Test (Yes/No Questions)

__ 11. ____ your dental appointment at 9:30 AM? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are __ 12. ____ I a qualified candidate for the sales position? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

__ 13. ____ the neighborhood a safe place to live? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

__ 14. ____ you very busy right now? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

__ 15. ____ the students in the language laboratory now? (A) Am (B) Is (C) Are

Post Test (Information Questions)

__ 16. What ____ your cell phone number? (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 17. Why ____ I so nervous? Maybe because of the oral report. (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 18. How ____ you and all your family? (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 19. Who ____ the manager of the store? (A) am (B) is (C) are

__ 20. Why ____ they home so late? (A) am (B) is (C) are

Post Test Answer Key

1. B 11. B 2. C 12. A 3. A 13. B 4. C 14. C 5. A 15. C 6. B 16. B 7. B 17. A 8. C 18. C 9. A 19. B10. C 20. C

Post Test Evaluation

Total Correct Answers:

20 Excellent: Congratulations! You have successfully

completed this module. You may work with a different

module if necessary.

19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer. You may work

with a different module if necessary.

18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, review the areas of

difficulty and take the Post Test again.

11 or You Need More Practice: I recommend that you review

less the complete module and take the Post Test again.

Letter to the Student

Congratulations ! You have completed the moduleVerb BE in the Present Tense. If you really understandall of the rules and examples presented, you can work with a different module depending on your needs.However, if you still have some questions concerning the rules, I advise you to review this module again or visit the

Language Laboratory, Room B-6 and ask for help beforestudying a different module. Remember you learn by practicing, therefore use theVerb BE in your daily conversations and written work.