Verbs are mainly divided into two types- principal verbs, and helping verbs. Let us discuss how “to be verbs” are used in various tenses.
The “to be verb’’ can be used to construct sentences as both an auxiliary verb and the main verb. This type of verb falls into the category of an irregular verb. The irregular verbs comprise am, is, are, was, and were. There are also been and being used in different tenses
Now, we are going to learn the usage of the term “be” in various tense forms along with related examples and detailed explanations.
Be in the present tense.
The actions that are performed in the present moment or are happening now are under the present tense. Let us discuss the way “to be verbs’’ act in the present tense.
The forms of “to be verbs’’ am, is, are, is being, am being, and are being, has been, have been can be applied in the present tense to make sentences.
When can we apply “to be verb’’ in the present tense?
| Tye of present tense | When to use “be” in the present tense |
| 1. Present indefinite tense | We use the verb “be” in the simple present tense with am/is/are to mention any person, any object, or any idea of being in a general sense. |
| 2. Present continuous tense | The verb “be” is used along with the present participle form of the main verb in the present continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action at the present moment. |
| 3. Present perfect tense | We apply the verb “be” in the present perfect tense with the past participle form of the main verb to show an action that has already been completed with its result now. |
| 4. Present perfect continuous tense | We use the verb “be” along with the present participle form of the main verb to show an action that is in progress for a period of time at the present moment. |
Sentence formation and structure of “be” in the present tense-
| Forms of present tense | Sentence formation of “be” |
| 1. Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense | Subject + am/is/are +object |
| 2. Present progressive tense/ Present continuous tense | Subject + am/is/are +present participle of the main verb + object |
| 3. Present perfect tense | Subject +has/have + past participle of verb + object |
| 4. Present perfect continuous tense | Subject + has been/have been + present participle of verb + object |
Examples of “be” in the present tense-
| Form of tense | Example | Explanation |
| 1. Simple present tense/ Present indefinite tense | My parents are delighted with the news that my brother has scored a century in the match. | The verb “to be verb’’ that is used here is are. The action shows my parents’ happiness after coming to know about my brother’s scoring a century in the match. |
| 2. Present progressive tense/ Present continuous tense | Suman is being helped by his friends to work out the sum. | The “be’’ verb “being’’ is applied in its present participle form as a helping verb to frame a present progressive tense in the passive voice. |
| 3. Present perfect tense | Lalita has been assisted by her brother to carry the load during their journey. | Here the “to be verb’’ has been is inserted to frame a sentence showing the present tense. It is applied in the passive form that shows Lalita has been assisted by her brother in carrying the load. |
| 4. Present perfect continuous tense | He has been trying to do the homework for three hours. | The usage of the “to be verb’’ has shown its activity in the present perfect progressive tense. |
How is the Use of “Be” in Tenses (Present, Past, and Future) Similar to the Use of “Learn” in Tenses (Present, Past, and Future)?
The use of be in tenses (present, past, and future) aligns with the use of learn in tenses (present, past, and future). Both verbs serve as critical components in constructing grammatical sentences that convey temporal information. When learning verb tenses in english, understanding the proper usage of be and learn is fundamental to expressing actions, states, or events accurately in different time frames.
Be in the past tense.
The action of the previous moments offers us the usage of the past tense.
We use “to be verb’’ was, were, was being, were being, and had been in the past tense to make sentences in their various forms. We must maintain the forms of the main verbs as well while framing sentences using them.
When can “to be verb’’ be used in the past tense?
| Type of past tense | When to use “be” in the past tense |
| 1. Past indefinite tense | We use the verb “be” in the past indefinite tense with was/were to frame a sentence in the simple past tense to show of being of something or someone in a general sense. |
| 2. Past continuous tense | We can use the verb “be” in the past continuous tense with was/were with the present participle form of the main verb to show an ongoing action of the past. |
| 3. Past perfect tense | The verb “be” is used in the past perfect tense with had been to frame a passive voice in the past perfect tense to show an action that was completed in the past. |
| 4. Past perfect progressive tense | We can use the verb “be” in the form had been to make a sentence in the past perfect continuous tense to show an action that was continuing for a period of time in the past. |
Sentence formation and structure of “be” in the past tense-
| Type of past tense | Sentence formation and structure of “be” |
| 1. Simple past tense/ Past indefinite tense | Subject + was/were +object |
| 2. Past progressive tense/ Past continuous tense | Subject + was/were +present participle of the main verb + object |
| 3. Past perfect tense | Subject +had + past participle of main verb + object |
| 4. Past perfect progressive tense | Subject + had been + present participle form of main verb + object |
Examples of the usage of the “be’’ in the past tense-
| Form of tense | Example | Explanation |
| Simple past tense/ Past indefinite tense | You were kind enough to stand by me in my great trouble. | Here the usage of the “to be verb’’ were shows its function in framing a simple past tense. We see the application of “were’’ as a principal verb here that indicates the retaining of its meaning. |
| Past progressive tense/ Past continuous tense | The boys were swimming in the river on a hot summer day. | We see in this present sentence the usage of the “to be verb’’ were in making a past continuous tense form. It shows that the boys were having a swim in the river on a hot summer day. |
| Past perfect tense | Had you ever been helped by anyone to execute your duty? | The “to be verb’’ had been’’ is applied here to frame a sentence in the past perfect tense in the passive sense. We get to know that you are asked whether you had been helped to perform your duty by someone. |
| Past perfect progressive tense | Barun had been doing the English grammar for two hours before the teacher came. | The example provides us with the usage of “had been’’ in the past perfect progressive tense which refers to the meaning Barun had been reading English for a period of time before his teacher’s arrival. |
Be in the future tense.
The activities that will be done or will be kept on referring to the future tense. Let us check how the “to be verb’’ acts in the future tense.
We are capable of using “to be verbs’’ shall be, will be, shall have been, and will have been in the future tense to frame sentences in their different forms.
When can we use “to be verb’’ in the future tense?
| Type of future tense | When to use “be” in the future tense |
| 1. Future indefinite tense | The verb “be” is used in the form shall/will be in the future indefinite tense to show someone, something, or some idea of being in the future in a general sense. |
| 2. Future continuous tense | We use the verb “be” with the form shall/will be with the present participle form of the main verb to show an action that will be in progress in the future tense. |
| 3. Future perfect tense | We can use the verb “be” in the future perfect tense in the form shall/will have with the past participle form of the main verb to show an action that will be completed before another action in the future. |
| 4. Future perfect progressive tense | The verb “be” is used in the future perfect tense in the form shall/will have been with the present participle form of the main verb to show an action that will be continuing for a period of time. |
Sentence formation and structure of “be” in the future tense-
| Form of future tense | Sentence formation and structure of “be” |
| 1. Simple future tense/ Future indefinite tense | Subject + shall be/will be +object |
| 2. Future progressive tense/ Future continuous tense | Subject + shall be/will be +present participle of the main verb + object |
| 3. Future perfect tense | Subject + shall/ will have + past participle of verb + object |
| 4. Future perfect progressive tense | Subject + shall/ will have been + present participle form of main verb + object |
Examples of the usage of “be’’ in the future tense-
| Form of future tense | Example | Explanation |
| 1. Simple future tense/ Future indefinite tense | The romantic song will be sung by the girl in the cultural function organized by the school. | Here we have seen that the “to be verb’’ will be is applied to make a sentence in the simple future tense. We get to know that it has been used in the passive voice i.e. a song will be sung by the girl in the future. |
| 2. Future progressive tense/ Future continuous tense | My mother will be cooking a nice dish for me on my birthday. | The usage of the “to be verb’’ will be has shown that is applied in the future continuous tense referring to an action that will be kept on. It offers that my mother will be working in the kitchen to prepare some dishes for us. |
| 3. Future perfect tense | Will the other payers have been trained by the coach before I arrive on the field? | Here the “to be verb’’ will have played shows its usage in the future perfect tense in the form of a question. |
| 4. Future perfect progressive tense | The dancers will have been dancing on the stage for some time before their trainer arrives on the stage. | In the cited sentence, the “to be verb’’ is applied to frame a sentence in the future perfect progressive tense to show that Sana will have been performing dance perform on the stage for a certain time before the trainer comes there. |
Conclusion
The article will provide us ample evidence on the usage of “to be verb’’ in various forms of tense. The different forms used in the sentences are enough for us to learn their correct usage.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.
