The verbs be and have · Grade R

Be and have are the two most important verbs in English. Be tells us what someone or something is like, where it is, or how old it is (I am ten.). Have tells us what someone owns or is part of their life (She has a brother.). Both change with the subject.

Key facts

• be in the present: I am, you are, he is, she is, it is, we are, they are.
• Short forms: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're.
• have in the present: I have, you have, we have, they have, but he has, she has, it has.
• One person or thing (my brother, the dog) is like he, she or it: My brother is tall. The dog has a ball. More than one is like they.
• In the past: I was, he was, she was, it was, but you were, we were, they were. have becomes had for everyone.
• Questions and negatives with be: Is she here? She isn't here.

Worked examples

Other years

• The verbs be and have · Grade 1
• The verbs be and have · Grade 2