Be

/bi/
verb

Exist or live.

I am a teacher.
Visual representation of "be" - exist or live

Often appears as...

  • i am
  • you are
verb

Happen, occur.

The party is on Friday.
Visual representation of "be" - happen, occur

Often appears as...

  • is at
  • is on
verb

Stay or remain in a certain state.

The milk is in the fridge.
Visual representation of "be" - stay or remain in a certain state

Often appears as...

  • is in
  • is at
verb

Used for statements of fact.

Water is a liquid.
Visual representation of "be" - used for statements of fact

Often appears as...

  • is a
  • is an
verb

Used to indicate the identity, profession, or qualities of someone or something.

John is a doctor.
Visual representation of "be" - used to indicate the identity, profession, or qualities of someone or something

Often appears as...

  • is a
  • is an
verb

Used to link the subject of a sentence with an adjective.

The sky is blue.
Visual representation of "be" - used to link the subject of a sentence with an adjective
verb

Used to express the cost or amount of something.

The ticket is $20.
Visual representation of "be" - used to express the cost or amount of something
verb

Used to form continuous tenses in combination with present participle.

I am running.
Visual representation of "be" - used to form continuous tenses in combination with present participle
verb

Used to form passive voice.

The cake is being made.
Visual representation of "be" - used to form passive voice
verb

Exist or live.

I am a teacher.
Visual representation of "be" - exist or live

Often appears as...

  • i am
  • you are
verb

Happen, occur.

The party is on Friday.
Visual representation of "be" - happen, occur

Often appears as...

  • is at
  • is on
verb

Stay or remain in a certain state.

The milk is in the fridge.
Visual representation of "be" - stay or remain in a certain state

Often appears as...

  • is in
  • is at
verb

Used for statements of fact.

Water is a liquid.
Visual representation of "be" - used for statements of fact

Often appears as...

  • is a
  • is an
verb

Used to indicate the identity, profession, or qualities of someone or something.

John is a doctor.
Visual representation of "be" - used to indicate the identity, profession, or qualities of someone or something

Often appears as...

  • is a
  • is an
verb

Used to link the subject of a sentence with an adjective.

The sky is blue.
Visual representation of "be" - used to link the subject of a sentence with an adjective
verb

Used to express the cost or amount of something.

The ticket is $20.
Visual representation of "be" - used to express the cost or amount of something
verb

Used to form continuous tenses in combination with present participle.

I am running.
Visual representation of "be" - used to form continuous tenses in combination with present participle
verb

Used to form passive voice.

The cake is being made.
Visual representation of "be" - used to form passive voice
Definition 1 of 9
Visual representation of "be"
LampPro Tip 1/2

Temporal Existence

Use 'am' with 'I' for personal experiences happening now or generally.

Illustration for Temporal Existence
I am alive.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Subtle Presence

'Is' suggests a subtle, often temporary presence or situation.

Illustration for Subtle Presence
The cat is on the mat.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Temporal Existence

Use 'am' with 'I' for personal experiences happening now or generally.

Illustration for Temporal Existence
I am alive.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Subtle Presence

'Is' suggests a subtle, often temporary presence or situation.

Illustration for Subtle Presence
The cat is on the mat.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Temporal Existence

Use 'am' with 'I' for personal experiences happening now or generally.

Illustration for Temporal Existence
I am alive.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Subtle Presence

'Is' suggests a subtle, often temporary presence or situation.

Illustration for Subtle Presence
The cat is on the mat.
Visual representation of the word "Be"

Never forget "Be"

Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google PlayGet it from MicrosoftGet it on AppGallery

Video examples

What is love? - Brad...

These are all comparisons, though, ways of defining it by contrast, by saying it's more important than all other things, but is it? Sure, love matters more than your standard turkey sandwich, but does it matter more than shelter? Or sanity?

Video examples

Pablo Escobar Goes to...

I grew up living a life full of money, full of power. My father at the time, he was perhaps one of the richest men in Colombia.

Video examples

The best kindergarten...

I think architecture is capable of changing this world, and people's lives.

Video examples

Oviraptorid Defends Her...

Protecting the nest means Gigantoraptors' young are more likely to survive.

Video examples

5 Amazing Animal...

but for a novice sewing is tiring world she's lost all momentum

Video examples

ONE HOUR of Amazing...

eventually she'd lose his courage perhaps a son will be bolder

Video examples

Beaver Lodge Construction...

Our infrared lights, however, are no longer welcome, it seems.

Video examples

Leopard Learns How to...

Eventually she loses courage. Perhaps her son will be bolder.

Video examples

Top 5 David Attenborough...

not exactly what she was after deeper

Video examples

“Boom Boom”, “Life is...

life is real yeah

Video examples

What is love? - Brad...

These are all comparisons, though, ways of defining it by contrast, by saying it's more important than all other things, but is it? Sure, love matters more than your standard turkey sandwich, but does it matter more than shelter? Or sanity?

Video examples

Pablo Escobar Goes to...

I grew up living a life full of money, full of power. My father at the time, he was perhaps one of the richest men in Colombia.

Video examples

The best kindergarten...

I think architecture is capable of changing this world, and people's lives.

Video examples

Oviraptorid Defends Her...

Protecting the nest means Gigantoraptors' young are more likely to survive.

Video examples

5 Amazing Animal...

but for a novice sewing is tiring world she's lost all momentum

Video examples

ONE HOUR of Amazing...

eventually she'd lose his courage perhaps a son will be bolder

Video examples

Beaver Lodge Construction...

Our infrared lights, however, are no longer welcome, it seems.

Video examples

Leopard Learns How to...

Eventually she loses courage. Perhaps her son will be bolder.

Video examples

Top 5 David Attenborough...

not exactly what she was after deeper

Video examples

“Boom Boom”, “Life is...

life is real yeah

Example 1 of 10

Quote examples

Barack Obama

American President

People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment. This is our time.
Portrait of Barack Obama

Quote examples

Isaac Newton

English Mathematician

Plato is my friend; Aristotle is my friend, but my greatest friend is truth.
Portrait of Isaac Newton

Quote examples

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian Leader

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

Quote examples

Thomas A. Edison

American Inventor

I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.
Portrait of Thomas A. Edison

Quote examples

Nelson Mandela

South African Statesman

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
Portrait of Nelson Mandela

Quote examples

Albert Einstein

German Physicist

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
Portrait of Albert Einstein

Quote examples

Victor Hugo

French Author

Life is the flower for which love is the honey.
Portrait of Victor Hugo

Quote examples

Stephen Hawking

English Physicist

My work and my family are very important to me.
Portrait of Stephen Hawking

Quote examples

Pablo Picasso

Spanish Painter

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.
Portrait of Pablo Picasso

Quote examples

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Artist

Life well spent is long.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci

Quote examples

Barack Obama

American President

People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment. This is our time.
Portrait of Barack Obama

Quote examples

Isaac Newton

English Mathematician

Plato is my friend; Aristotle is my friend, but my greatest friend is truth.
Portrait of Isaac Newton

Quote examples

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian Leader

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi

Quote examples

Thomas A. Edison

American Inventor

I never did a day's work in my life. It was all fun.
Portrait of Thomas A. Edison

Quote examples

Nelson Mandela

South African Statesman

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
Portrait of Nelson Mandela

Quote examples

Albert Einstein

German Physicist

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
Portrait of Albert Einstein

Quote examples

Victor Hugo

French Author

Life is the flower for which love is the honey.
Portrait of Victor Hugo

Quote examples

Stephen Hawking

English Physicist

My work and my family are very important to me.
Portrait of Stephen Hawking

Quote examples

Pablo Picasso

Spanish Painter

Art is a lie that makes us realize truth.
Portrait of Pablo Picasso

Quote examples

Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Artist

Life well spent is long.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
Example 1 of 10
Chrome

WordUp Chrome Extension

As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.

Get Chrome Extension
Back to top