Use of Is, Am, Are Explained in a Simple Way

 Use Of Be Verbs (Is, Am, Are) 

Many students know English words. They can read English sentences. They can even write answers in exams.

Use of Is, Am, Are explained in a simple and easy way for beginners.


But when it comes to speaking English, they stop.

Why?

Because of confusion in basic grammar.

And the biggest confusion for beginners is this:

❓ Should I use is, am, or are?

You may have heard students say:

I is happy.
He are my friend.
They am playing.

These mistakes are very common.
The good news is — is, am, and are are very easy if you understand them properly.

In this article, I will explain the use of Is, Am, Are in the simplest way, just like a teacher explains in a classroom. No grammar pressure. No difficult rules. Only clear understanding.


What Are Is, Am, Are?

Is, Am, Are are forms of the verb “Be”.

They are used to:

  • Talk about who someone is

  • Describe feelings

  • Talk about condition or state

  • Describe what is happening now

Example:

  • I am happy.

  • She is tired.

  • They are playing.


One Golden Rule (Remember This Forever)

๐Ÿ‘‰ Subject decides the verb.

Who is doing or being something — that decides whether we use is, am, or are.

Let us learn them one by one.


Use of AM

When do we use AM?

๐Ÿ‘‰ AM is used only with “I”

That’s it. No confusion.

Examples:

  • I am a student.

  • I am happy today.

  • I am learning English.

  • I am ready for the exam.

❌ Wrong:

  • I is tired

  • I are late

✔️ Correct:

  • I am tired

  • I am late

๐Ÿ“ Simple Trick to Remember:
I + AM = Always Correct


Use of IS

When do we use IS?

๐Ÿ‘‰ IS is used with singular subjects

That means:

  • He

  • She

  • It

  • One person

  • One thing

  • One name

Examples:

  • He is my brother.

  • She is a teacher.

  • It is very hot today.

  • Ramesh is my friend.

  • The book is on the table.

❌ Wrong:

  • She are smart

  • He am late

✔️ Correct:

  • She is smart

  • He is late

๐Ÿ“ Easy Tip:
If the subject is one, use IS.


Use of ARE

When do we use ARE?

๐Ÿ‘‰ ARE is used with plural subjects

That means:

  • We

  • You

  • They

  • More than one person

  • More than one thing

Examples:

  • We are students.

  • You are my best friend.

  • They are playing outside.

  • The boys are happy.

  • My parents are proud of me.

❌ Wrong:

  • They is late

  • We am ready

✔️ Correct:

  • They are late

  • We are ready

๐Ÿ“ Simple Rule:
If the subject is many, use ARE.


Special Case: Use of YOU

“You” looks singular, but in English:

๐Ÿ‘‰ You always takes ARE

Examples:

  • You are good.

  • You are my friend.

  • You are very kind.

Not:
❌ You is
❌ You am

Always:
✔️ You are


Is, Am, Are in Negative Sentences

To make negative sentences, we add NOT.

Structure:

  • is + not = is not

  • am + not = am not

  • are + not = are not

Examples:

  • I am not tired.

  • He is not angry.

  • She is not at home.

  • They are not ready.

  • We are not late.

Short forms (used in speaking):

  • is not → isn’t

  • are not → aren’t

Example:

  • He isn’t well.

  • They aren’t coming today.


Is, Am, Are in Questions

To make a question, bring is, am, or are to the front.

Examples:

  • Am I late?

  • Is he your brother?

  • Is she okay?

  • Are you ready?

  • Are they students?

๐Ÿ“ Simple Trick:
Verb first, subject next.


Is, Am, Are with “-ing” Form (Present Continuous)

When something is happening now, we use:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Is/Am/Are + verb + ing

Examples:

  • I am reading a book.

  • He is playing cricket.

  • She is cooking food.

  • We are watching TV.

  • They are learning English.

This form is very useful in daily speaking.


Common Daily Life Sentences

Here are some real-life sentences students can use daily:

  • I am fine.

  • I am sorry.

  • I am ready.

  • He is my teacher.

  • She is very kind.

  • It is raining.

  • We are late.

  • You are right.

  • They are waiting.

Simple sentences make English easy and confident.


Most Common Mistakes Students Make

❌ I is happy
✔️ I am happy

❌ She are my sister
✔️ She is my sister

❌ They am playing
✔️ They are playing

❌ You is wrong
✔️ You are wrong

Mistakes happen because students memorize rules, not usage.


How to Practice Is, Am, Are Daily

Here are simple practice tips:

  1. Speak in front of a mirror
    → “I am confident.”

  2. Describe yourself daily
    → “I am a student. I am learning English.”

  3. Talk about others
    → “He is my friend. They are classmates.”

  4. Write 5 sentences every day using is, am, are.

Small practice daily brings big confidence.


Final Words

Is, Am, Are are not difficult.
They become difficult only when we fear grammar.

If you remember just three things, English becomes easy:

  • I → AM

  • One → IS

  • Many → ARE

That’s all.

English is not about perfection.
It is about practice and confidence.

Start speaking. Make mistakes. Learn daily.
You are already on the right path.

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