Overview:
Some of the most common verbs that you will encounter in English are those that come from the infinitive “to be”. This happens for a several reasons. Among them are that forms from “to be” allow you to express states of existence which happens a lot. (I am tired, you are tall, etc.) Also, forms of “to be” are used frequently to show certain grammatical constructions in English. “I am walking”, for example, uses a form of “to be” to express a very specific tense, in this case, what is called the progressive tense. Clearly, when it comes to grammar, forms from “to be” serve vital roles in the English language.
When it comes to style, however, your teachers may ask you to limit, or in some cases to eliminate forms from “to be” from your writing. By doing so, they are encouraging you to avoid some constructions, such as the passive voice, that may be considered less desirable. Also by reducing your dependence on forms of “to be”, you are likely to explore some more complex sentence structures that may lend a greater variety and maturity to your writing. At the very least, your teacher is forcing you to be very aware of your thought process while you are constructing your sentences, which often leads to more deliberate and precise writing.
You will find it helpful if you have completed the lessons on parts of speech and complete sentences before completing this lesson.
Forms of to be:
As a quick review, let’s review some forms that come from the infinitive “to be”:
Present Tense Forms:
I: am
You: are
He/she: is
We: are
You’all: are
They: are
Past Tense Forms:
I: was
You: were
He/she: was
We: were
You’all: were
They: were
Other forms: been, be, being
Because so many of these forms are repeated, you are really only looking at the forms:
am, are, is, was, were, been, being, be.
Use 1: To be as a Linking Verb:
When “to be” occurs as a linking verb in sentences, it is basically operating as an equal sign:
John is tall and athletic. (John = tall)
Mary is sad and depressed. (Mary = sad, depressed)
In some cases, this may create sentences that sound quite simple or repetitive. You have several options for how to rework your sentence to avoid this use of “to be”.
1. Take the information that you are linking and include it as a phrase or an adjective construction.
Ex: John is tall and athletic and he likes to play basketball.
Options:
The tall and athletic John likes to play basketball.
John, tall and athletic, likes to play basketball.
Tall and athletic, John likes to play basketball.
2. Or, replace the form of “to be” with a more descriptive verb.
o John stands tall, etc.
o Mary feels depressed.
Use 2: To Be as part of the Progressive Tense:
Both of the following sentences are in present tense. What is the difference in meaning between them?
Mary plays rugby.
Mary is playing rugby.
You might answer that in the first sentence, Mary is someone who plays rugby. In the second sentence, however, Mary is playing rugby as something else is happening at that time. The second sentence is an example of present progressive tense.
To make progressive tense, take the subject, conjugate to be to match it, and then add the “-ing” form of the main verb.
Marcus eats walnuts. (Present tense)Marcus is eating walnuts. (Present progressive tense).
As speakers of English, you generally know when you need to use progressive tense to express the concept that you want. As writers, however, sometimes you are so used to using progressive tense, that you will use it even when it’s not necessary to capture the meaning.
As a general rule, avoid progressive tense in writing unless it is needed to convey a special sense of time like in the examples above.
The author is describing the character.
Preferred: The author describes the character.
Notice that there is a Past Progressive Tense also:
I was playing basketball when my brother called. (Past Progressive Tense)
I played basketball when my brother called. (One word Past tense)
The same suggestions apply to past tense:
Europeans were settling North America.
Preferred: Europeans settled North America.
Use 3: To be as part of Passive Voice:
Passive voice is complex enough to have its own lesson. However, it also tends to be the use of “to be” that can be the most frustrating to some teachers. Make an effort to learn what it is and how to avoid it.
©kmcelliott 2008
Some of the most common verbs that you will encounter in English are those that come from the infinitive “to be”. This happens for a several reasons. Among them are that forms from “to be” allow you to express states of existence which happens a lot. (I am tired, you are tall, etc.) Also, forms of “to be” are used frequently to show certain grammatical constructions in English. “I am walking”, for example, uses a form of “to be” to express a very specific tense, in this case, what is called the progressive tense. Clearly, when it comes to grammar, forms from “to be” serve vital roles in the English language.
When it comes to style, however, your teachers may ask you to limit, or in some cases to eliminate forms from “to be” from your writing. By doing so, they are encouraging you to avoid some constructions, such as the passive voice, that may be considered less desirable. Also by reducing your dependence on forms of “to be”, you are likely to explore some more complex sentence structures that may lend a greater variety and maturity to your writing. At the very least, your teacher is forcing you to be very aware of your thought process while you are constructing your sentences, which often leads to more deliberate and precise writing.
You will find it helpful if you have completed the lessons on parts of speech and complete sentences before completing this lesson.
Forms of to be:
As a quick review, let’s review some forms that come from the infinitive “to be”:
Present Tense Forms:
I: am
You: are
He/she: is
We: are
You’all: are
They: are
Past Tense Forms:
I: was
You: were
He/she: was
We: were
You’all: were
They: were
Other forms: been, be, being
Because so many of these forms are repeated, you are really only looking at the forms:
am, are, is, was, were, been, being, be.
Use 1: To be as a Linking Verb:
When “to be” occurs as a linking verb in sentences, it is basically operating as an equal sign:
John is tall and athletic. (John = tall)
Mary is sad and depressed. (Mary = sad, depressed)
In some cases, this may create sentences that sound quite simple or repetitive. You have several options for how to rework your sentence to avoid this use of “to be”.
1. Take the information that you are linking and include it as a phrase or an adjective construction.
Ex: John is tall and athletic and he likes to play basketball.
Options:
The tall and athletic John likes to play basketball.
John, tall and athletic, likes to play basketball.
Tall and athletic, John likes to play basketball.
2. Or, replace the form of “to be” with a more descriptive verb.
o John stands tall, etc.
o Mary feels depressed.
Use 2: To Be as part of the Progressive Tense:
Both of the following sentences are in present tense. What is the difference in meaning between them?
Mary plays rugby.
Mary is playing rugby.
You might answer that in the first sentence, Mary is someone who plays rugby. In the second sentence, however, Mary is playing rugby as something else is happening at that time. The second sentence is an example of present progressive tense.
To make progressive tense, take the subject, conjugate to be to match it, and then add the “-ing” form of the main verb.
Marcus eats walnuts. (Present tense)Marcus is eating walnuts. (Present progressive tense).
As speakers of English, you generally know when you need to use progressive tense to express the concept that you want. As writers, however, sometimes you are so used to using progressive tense, that you will use it even when it’s not necessary to capture the meaning.
As a general rule, avoid progressive tense in writing unless it is needed to convey a special sense of time like in the examples above.
The author is describing the character.
Preferred: The author describes the character.
Notice that there is a Past Progressive Tense also:
I was playing basketball when my brother called. (Past Progressive Tense)
I played basketball when my brother called. (One word Past tense)
The same suggestions apply to past tense:
Europeans were settling North America.
Preferred: Europeans settled North America.
Use 3: To be as part of Passive Voice:
Passive voice is complex enough to have its own lesson. However, it also tends to be the use of “to be” that can be the most frustrating to some teachers. Make an effort to learn what it is and how to avoid it.
©kmcelliott 2008