Level One
Lesson 3
be - contractions - present tense
When talking, use contractions to sound like a native speaker.
In this lesson, you will learn how to form contractions with the verb “be” in the present tense, affirmative and negative.
After you complete this lesson, click here for a quiz: Quiz #3 – contractions – present tense
3a. subject + be ✍️ 🗣️
Singular
I am = I‘m
you are = you‘re
he is = he‘s
she is = she‘s
it is = it‘s
Plural
we are = we‘re
you are = you‘re
they are = they‘re
My recommendation: Learn to form contractions. English speakers often use contractions when they talk.
3a. Examples
Singular Contractions
- I’m a teacher.
- You’re a student. (singular)
- He’s a student.
- She’s an assistant to the teacher.
- It’s important to learn English.
you / other students
Plural Contractions
- You and I are online.
- We’re online together.
- You’re all my students. (plural)
- They’re good students. (other people)
be – present tense – contractions
Part A – Directions: Underline the verb “be” in each contraction. Write the subject and the verb in the space provided.
She’s a student. ________ ________
They’re old. ________ ________
I’m tired. ________ ________
We’re in the classroom. ________ ________
It’s a beautiful day. ________ ________
You’re on the internet. ________ ________
He’s a football player. ________ ________
That’s good. ________ ________
They’re over there. ________ ________
I’m a student. ________ ________
Part B – Directions: Write the contraction for the subject and the verb.
They are very good. _______________
She is a smart woman. _______________
I am so lazy today! _______________
You are at home. _______________
We are in the classroom. _______________
She is at home. _______________
It is an interesting book. _______________
You are a student. _______________
They are over there. _______________
I am so happy today. _______________
Here are the answers:
Part A:
1. She is
2. They are
3. I am
4. We are
5. It is
6. You are
7. He is
8. That is
9. They are
10. I am
Part B:
1. They’re
2. She’s
3. I’m
4. You’re
5. We’re
6. She’s
7. It’s
8. You’re
9. They’re
10. I’m
be - contractions
present tense negative
3b. 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
3b. Examples
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.
3c. 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
3c. Examples
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.