be - present - negative - contractions
Level One
Lesson 3a: be - negative contractions
Contractions that are negative and in the present tense are common in English. Add “not” to the verb “be:” is not = isn’t; are not; aren’t
In this lesson, you will learn how to form contractions with the verb “be” in the present tense, affirmative and negative. (CEFR: A1)
The Verb “Be” — Negative Contractions
3a. subject + be + not
Singular
I am not = I’m not
you are not = you’re not
he is not = he’s not
she is not = she’s not
it is not = it’s not
Plural
we are not = we’re not
you are not = you’re not
they are not = they’re not
There are two ways to form negative contractions with pronouns and the verb “be.”
S + be + not
or
S + be + not
3a. subject + be + not
I’m not at school.
Singular
- I’m not at school today.
- You’re not at school today.
- It’s not hot outside. It’s cold.
You’re not at school.
Plural
- The students are not in school today.
- They’re not in school.
- You’re not in the classroom.
- I’m not in the classroom.
- We’re not there.
3a. subject + be + not
Singular
I am not = I am not
you are not = you aren’t
he is not = he isn’t
she is not = she isn’t
it is not = it isn’t
Plural
we are not = we aren’t
you are not = you aren’t
they are not = they aren’t
3a. subject + be + not
He isn’t a teacher.
Singular
- He isn’t a teacher. He’s a pizza chef.
- The pizza isn’t cold. It’s hot.
- You aren’t hungry, are you?
They aren’t at school.
Plural
- They aren’t at school. They’re on a soccer field.
- The players aren’t slow. They’re very fast.
- We aren’t bored. We’re very interested.
In Lesson Four, you will practice using the pronouns “you” and “I,”
and you will learn about the other subject pronouns: he, she, it, we, and they.