English

be

biː, bə, bɛ, bɪ
Meaning: to exist; to have a certain state or quality
Part of Speech: Verb Alternative Readings: bə, bɛ, bɪ

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Verb inflections

Form Inflected form
Base be
3rd person singular present is
Present participle being
Past was / were
Will future will be
Going-to future going to be
Imperative negative don't be / do not be

Example sentences

I want to be a teacher.
I want to be a teacher.
He stated that the project would be finished by April.
He stated that the project would be finished by April.
The surface of the lake was perfectly even.
The surface of the lake was perfectly even.
He left home when he was twenty-three.
He left home when he was twenty-three.
That was a smart move.
That was a smart move.

Usage Notes

One of the most common verbs in English. It has many forms: am, is, are, was, were, been, being.

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