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Please take your time to read through it.
Have you ever had the following experiences?
For example,
- I said “Yes, I do” instead of “Yes, I am.”
- I don’t remember the third person singular present tense very well.
- I heard that if the subject is singular, the verb should have a “s” attached to it, but I was confused when I heard that “I” and “You” were exceptions.
But don’t worry.
By reading this article,
- You will be able to fully understand the difference between “be verbs” and “regular verbs,” which are very important in English grammar.
- This article is especially useful for beginners of English, as it is full of useful information to deepen your understanding of basic English grammar.
- You will also be able to get a concrete image of a Yes-No question (a question that can be answered with “yes” or “no”).
This article is full of information that is hard to find anywhere else.
Please take your time and look carefully.
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Introduction
When learning English, it is very important to understand the difference between be verbs and regular verbs.
Understanding this difference will help you to get a firm grasp of the basics of English grammar.
What is the be verb?
The meaning of “equal”
The be verb has the meaning of connecting something with an equal sign (=).
For example, in the sentence [AAA] be [BBB], AAA and BBB are the same thing.
Examples:
I am a doctor. → (I = a doctor)
Tom is my brother. → (Tom = my brother)
Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of the UK. → (Queen Elizabeth II = the monarch of the UK)
Expressing a state
The be verb is also used to describe the state of a person or thing.
This is necessary to express the “state” of something.
Examples:
You are busy. → (“You busy.” does not make sense)
I am happy. → (“I happy.” does not make sense)
Jenny is my daughter. → (“Jenny my daughter.” does not make sense)
Expressing presence
The verb to be is also used to say where something is or is.
Examples:
A: Where is Kotaro?
B: He’s in his room. → (“He is his room.” does not make sense)
Forty thousand people are in the concert hall. → (“Forty thousand people are the concert hall.” does not make sense)
Your pen is under the desk. → (“Your pen is the desk.” does not make sense)
Be verb forms
The be verb is used with a subject (who or what is the subject).
There are present and past tenses of the be verb, and the form changes depending on the subject.
Present tense:
am (I)
is (he/she/it)
are (you/we/they)
Past tense:
was (I/he/she/it)
were (you/we/they)
Using these forms correctly will help you understand English grammar more easily and create correct English sentences.
What are regular verbs?
Regular verbs refer to all verbs other than the verb “be,” and express changes in actions or states.
For example, “like,” “run,” and “swim” are regular verbs.
How to use them
Be verb
The be verb is used with a subject and expresses an “equal relationship,” “state,” or “existence.”
It’s easier to understand if you think of it as “the subject is…”
Example sentences:
He is a teacher. → (He equals a teacher)
She is tired. → (state)
There is a cat on the roof. → (existence)
Regular verbs
Regular verbs, on the other hand, express actions or changes in state that the subject takes.
It is easier to understand if you think of it as “the subject does something.”
Example sentences:
I like coffee. → (Action: “like”)
They run every morning. → (Action: “run”)
Regular verbs change form depending on the meaning of the sentence.
The verb form is different for affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences, so you need to pay attention to each form.
Example sentences:
If you want to know if Jane’s sister goes to high school:
You: Does Jane’s sister go to high school?
If you want to know if I had breakfast this morning:
You: Did you have breakfast this morning?
What does “s” mean in the third person singular present tense? .
In the present tense in English, if the subject is third person singular (e.g. he, she, it), you add “s” to the verb.
However, there are exceptions when the subject is “I” or “you.”
Also, since the form of the verb changes in other than the present tense, you don’t need to add “s” to the verb.
Example sentences:
He likes music. → (likes: subject is third person singular)
They like music. → (like: subject is not third person singular)
How to make a Yes-No question
The basic question is a Yes-No question that can be answered with Yes or No.
To make a Yes-No question, put Do, Does, or Did at the beginning of the sentence.
It’s very simple.
The words Do, Does, and Did are auxiliary verbs, not verbs.
Example sentences:
You play baseball.→ Do you play baseball?
Kotaro works out every day.→ Does Kotaro work out every day?
The alarm clock went off this morning.→ Did the alarm clock go off this morning?
[Rules]
- When the subject is third person singular, add “s” to the verb. Also, “have” changes to “has.”
However, there are exceptions when the subject is “I” or “you.” - When the auxiliary verb “Do,” “Does,” or “Did” begins the sentence, the “s” is dropped from the verb.
Yes-No question practice
(practice 1)
1. Are you hungry? (No, ——.)
2. Does your father speak English? (No, ——.)
3. Is your father healthy? (Yes, ——.)
4. Does your father drive a motorcycle? (Yes, ——.)
5. Does your school offer online classes? (Yes, ——.)
6. Is your father still working? (No, ——.)
7 . Are you excited? (No, ——.)
8. Do you exercise regularly? (Yes, ——.)
9. Does your father use a smartphone? (No, ——.)
10. Is your apartment small? ( No, ——.)
11. Does your father watch YouTube? (Yes, ——.)
12. Do you have any siblings? (Yes, ——.)
13. Are you single? (Yes, ——.)
14 . Do you and your friends hang out often? (Yes, ——.)
15. Does your father cook often? (Yes, ——.)
16. Is your father over fifty years old? (Yes, ——.)
17. Are you from Tokyo? (No , ——.)
18. Is your computer more than five years old? (Yes, ——.)
19. Does your father read the newspaper? (No, ——.)
20. Does your father work at an office? ( Yes, ——.)
21. Do your kids play soccer? (No, ——.)
22. Do you and your spouse live together? (No, ——.)
23. Are you a teacher? (No, ——.)
24. Do you like classical music? (No, ——.)
25. Do you speak French? (No, ——.)
26. Are you bored? (No, ——.)
27. Do you want a Vacation? (Yes, ——.)
28. Is your house’s roof red? (No, ——.)
29. Does your father play golf? (Yes, ——.)
30. Is your father tall? (Yes, ——. )
(Sample answers)
1. Are you hungry? (No, I’m not.)
2. Does your father speak English? (No, he doesn’t.)
3. Is your father healthy? (Yes, he is.)
4. Does your father drive a motorcycle? (Yes, he does.)
5. Does your school offer online classes? (Yes, it does.)
6. Is your father still working? (No, he isn’t.)
7 . Are you excited? (No, I’m not.)
8. Do you exercise regularly? (Yes, I do.)
9. Does your father use a smartphone? (No, he doesn’t.)
10. Is your apartment small? (No, it isn’t.)
11. Does your father watch YouTube? (Yes, he does.)
12. Do you have any siblings? (Yes, I do.)
13. Are you single? (Yes, I am.)
14. Do you and your friends hang out often? (Yes, we do.)
15. Does your father cook often? (Yes, he does.)
16. Is your father over fifty years old? (Yes, he is.)
17. Are you from Tokyo? (No, I’m not.)
18. Is your computer more than five years old? (Yes, it is.)
19. Does your father read the newspaper? (No, he doesn’t.)
20. Does your father work at an office? (Yes, he does.)
21. Do your kids play soccer? (No, they don’t.)
22. Do you and your spouse live together? (No, we don’t.)
23. Are you a teacher? (No, I’m not.)
24. Do you like classical music? (No, I don’t.)
25. Do you speak French? (No, I don’t.)
26. Are you bored? (No, I’m not.)
27. Do you want a vacation? (Yes, I do.)
28. Is your house’s roof red? (No, it isn’t.)
29. Does your father play golf? (Yes, he does.)
30. Is your father tall? (Yes, he is.)
(Practice 2)
1. Are you feeling well? (Yes, ——.)
2. Does your sister study abroad? (No, ——.)
3. Is your brother younger than you? (Yes, ——.)
4. Does your sister play the violin? (Yes, ——.)
5. Does your office have a cafeteria? (Yes, ——.)
6. Is your brother in college? (No, ——.)
7. Are you a morning person? (No, ——.)
8. Do you travel often? (Yes, ——.)
9. Does your sister have a driver’s license? (No, ——.)
10. Is your bedroom on the second floor? (No, ——.)
11. Does your brother use Instagram? (Yes, ——.)
12. Do you have a garden? (Yes, ——.)
13. Are you employed? (Yes, ——.)
14. Do you and your coworkers go out for lunch together? (Yes, ——.)
15. Does your sister like cooking? (Yes, ——.)
16. Is your brother married? (Yes, ——.)
17. Are you from Hokkaido? (No, ——.)
18. Is your car electric? (No, ——.)
19. Does your sister watch Netflix? (No, ——.)
20. Does your brother work as an engineer? (Yes, ——.)
21. Do your kids play video games? (No, ——.)
22. Do you and your friends visit museums? (No, ——.)
23. Are you an artist? (No, ——.)
24. Do you like watching movies? (Yes, ——.)
25. Do you speak Spanish? (No, ——.)
26. Are you thirsty? (No, ——.)
27. Do you want to learn a new skill? (Yes, ——.)
28. Is your laptop brand new? (No, ——.)
29. Does your sister play basketball? (Yes, ——.)
30. Is your brother athletic? (Yes, ——.)
(Sample answers)
1. Are you feeling well? (Yes, I am.)
2. Does your sister study abroad? (No, she doesn’t.)
3. Is your brother younger than you? (Yes, he is. )
4. Does your sister play the violin? (Yes, she does.)
5. Does your office have a cafeteria? (Yes, it does.)
6. Is your brother in college? (No, he isn’t.)
7. Are you a morning person? (No, I’m not.)
8. Do you travel often? (Yes, I do.)
9. Does your sister have a driver’s license? (No, she doesn’t.)
10. Is your bedroom on the second floor? (No, it isn’t.)
11. Does your brother use Instagram? (Yes, he does.)
12. Do you have a garden? (Yes, I do.)
13. Are you employed? (Yes, I am.)
14. Do you and your coworkers go out for lunch together? (Yes, we do.)
15. Does your sister like cooking? (Yes, she does.)
16. Is your brother married? (Yes, he is.)
17. Are you from Hokkaido? (No, I’m not.)
18. Is your car electric? (No, it isn’t.)
19. Does your sister watch Netflix? (No, she doesn’t.)
20. Does your brother work as an engineer? (Yes, he does.)
21. Do your kids play video games? (No, they don’t.)
22 . Do you and your friends visit museums? (No, we don’t.)
23. Are you an artist? (No, I’m not.)
24. Do you like watching movies? (Yes, I do.)
25. Do you speak Spanish? (No, I don’t.)
26. Are you thirsty? (No, I’m not.)
27. Do you want to learn a new skill? (Yes, I do .)
28. Is your laptop brand new? (No, it isn’t.)
29. Does your sister play basketball? (Yes, she does.)
30. Is your brother athletic? (Yes, he is.)
(Practice 3)
1. Are you going out tonight? (No, ——.)
2. Does your brother play the guitar? (Yes, ——.)
3. Is your sister older than you? (Yes, ——.)
4. Does your father like reading books? (Yes, ——.)
5. Does your job involve traveling? (No, ——.)
6. Is your sister still in high school? (No, ——.)
7. Are you interested in history? (Yes, ——.)
8. Do you cook dinner every night? (No, ——.)
9. Does your father watch sports? (Yes, ——.)
10. Is your hometown small? (Yes, ——.)
11. Does your mother work part-time? (No, ——.)
12. Do you have a driver’s license? (Yes, ——.)
13. Are you a fan of science fiction? (Yes, ——.)
14. Do you and your partner enjoy hiking? (Yes, ——.)
15. Does your father speak another language? (No, ——.)
16. Is your sister interested in art? (Yes, ——.)
17. Are you from Shikoku? (No, ——.)
18. Is your favorite color blue? (No, ——.)
19. Does your brother play chess? (Yes, ——.)
20. Does your mother enjoy gardening? (Yes, ——.)
21. Do your kids enjoy reading? (Yes, ——.)
22. Do you and your friends play any sports? (No, ——.)
23. Are you a musician? (No, ——.)
24. Do you like spicy food? (Yes, ——.)
25. Do you speak Korean? (No, ——.)
26. Are you planning to travel soon? (Yes, ——.)
27. Do you want to move to a new city? (No, ——.)
28. Is your phone new? (Yes, ——.)
29. Does your father like fishing? (No, ——.)
30. Does your brother play video games? (No, ——.)
(Sample answers)
1. Are you going out tonight? (No, I’m not.)
2. Does your brother play the guitar? (Yes, he does.)
3. Is your sister older than you? (Yes, she is.)
4. Does your father like reading books? (Yes, he does.)
5. Does your job involve traveling? (No, it doesn’t.)
6. Is your sister still in high school? (No, she doesn’t.)
7. Are you interested in history? (Yes, I am.)
8. Do you cook dinner every night? (No, I don’t.)
9. Does your father watch sports? (Yes, he does.)
10. Is your hometown small? (Yes, it is.)
11. Does your mother work part-time? (No, she doesn’t.)
12. Do you have a driver’s license? (Yes, I do.)
13. Are you a fan of science fiction? (Yes, I am.)
14. Do you and your partner enjoy hiking? (Yes, we do.)
15. Does your father speak another language? (No, he doesn’t.)
16. Is your sister interested in art? (Yes, she is.)
17. Are you from Shikoku? (No, I’m not.)
18. Is your favorite color blue? (No, it isn’t.)
19. Does your brother play chess? (Yes, he does.)
20. Does your mother enjoy gardening? (Yes, she does.)
21. Do your kids enjoy reading? (Yes, they do.)
22 . Do you and your friends play any sports? (No, we don’t.)
23. Are you a musician? (No, I’m not.)
24. Do you like spicy food? (Yes, I do.)
25. Do you speak Korean? (No, I don’t.)
26. Are you planning to travel soon? (Yes, I am.)
27. Do you want to move to a new city? (No, I don’t.)
28. Is your phone new? (Yes, it is.)
29. Does your father like fishing? (No, he doesn’t.)
30. Does your brother play video games? (No, he doesn’t.)
(Practice 4)
1. Are you feeling cold? (No, ——.)
2. Does your friend live nearby? (Yes, ——.)
3. Is your best friend a doctor? (Yes, ——.)
4. Does your cousin like to swim? (Yes, ——.)
5. Does your job require a uniform? (No, ——.)
6. Is your grandmother still living? (Yes, ——.)
7. Are you a coffee drinker? (Yes, ——.)
8. Do you go jogging in the morning? (No, ——.)
9. Does your neighbor own a dog? (Yes, ——.)
10. Is your apartment close to a station? (Yes, ——.)
11. Does your uncle live abroad? (No, ——.)
12. Do you have a bike? (Yes, ——.)
13. Are you a fan of mystery novels? (Yes, ——.)
14. Do you and your partner watch TV shows together? (Yes, ——.)
15. Does your friend play any musical instruments? (Yes, ——.)
16. Is your cousin younger than you? (No, ——.)
17. Are you from Kyushu? (No, ——.)
18. Is your kitchen modern? (Yes, ——.)
19. Does your uncle play tennis? (No, ——.)
20. Does your friend like hiking? (Yes, ——.)
21. Do your parents enjoy traveling? (Yes, ——.)
22. Do you and your friends often go to concerts? (No, ——.)
23. Are you an early riser? (Yes, ——.)
24. Do you like Japanese food? (Yes, ——.)
25. Do you speak German? (No, ——.)
26. Are you planning a big project? (Yes, ——.)
27. Do you want to learn a new language? (Yes, ——.)
28. Is your office far from your home? (No, ——.)
29. Does your neighbor like gardening? (Yes, ——.)
30. Is your friend good at sports? (Yes, ——.)
(Sample answers)
1. Are you feeling cold? (No, I’m not.)
2. Does your friend live nearby? (Yes, they do.)
3. Is your best friend a doctor? (Yes, they are.)
4. Does your cousin like to swim? (Yes, they do.)
5. Does your job require a uniform? (No, it doesn’t.)
6. Is your grandmother still living? (Yes, she is.)
7. Are you a coffee drinker? (Yes, I am.)
8. Do you go jogging in the morning? (No, I don’t.)
9. Does your neighbor own a dog? (Yes, they do.)
10. Is your apartment close to a station? (Yes, it is.)
11. Does your uncle live abroad? (No, he doesn’t.)
12. Do you have a bike? (Yes, I do.)
13. Are you a fan of mystery novels? (Yes, I am.)
14. Do you and your partner watch TV shows together? (Yes, we do.)
15. Does your friend play any musical instruments? (Yes, they do.)
16. Is your cousin younger than you? (No, they aren’t.)
17. Are you from Kyushu? (No, I’m not.)
18. Is your kitchen modern? (Yes, it is.)
19. Does your uncle play tennis? (No, he doesn’t.)
20. Does your friend like hiking? (Yes, they do.)
21. Do your parents enjoy traveling? (Yes, they do.)
22. Do you and your friends often go to concerts? (No, we don’t.)
23. Are you an early riser? (Yes, I am.)
24. Do you like Japanese food? (Yes, I do.)
25. Do you speak German? (No, I don’t.)
26. Are you planning a big project? (Yes, I am.)
27. Do you want to learn a new language? (Yes, I do.)
28. Is your office far from your home? (No, it isn’t.)
29. Does your neighbor like gardening? (Yes, they do.)
30. Is your friend good at sports? (Yes, they are.)
Summary
I have explained the basics of English grammar regarding be verbs and regular verbs.
In English, there are two types of verbs: “be verbs” and “regular verbs”.
Understanding the role of each will make it easier to create sentences in English.
It is easier to remember if you think of be verbs as “verbs that express a state” and regular verbs as “verbs that express an action”.
For example, be verbs indicate “to be”, such as “I am a student”.
On the other hand, regular verbs indicate specific actions or movements, such as “I read a book”.
Understanding the difference between be verbs and regular verbs is very important in solidifying the foundations of English learning.
If you remember this well, you will not be confused when creating English sentences.
Finally, let me summarize the key points.
What is a be verb?
- It is a verb that expresses “equal”, “state”, or “existence”.
For example, it is used in sentences like “He is a teacher” and “The sky is blue”. - There are present tense and past tense.
For example, they change depending on the tense you use, such as “is” (present tense) and “was” (past tense).
What are regular verbs?
- All verbs except “be” verbs.
For example, “run“, “eat“, and “speak” are regular verbs. - They express a change in an action or state.
For example, “She runs every morning.” shows a specific action.
How to use them:
- It is easy to understand if you think of be verbs as “is”.
For example, it explains “what is“, such as “I am a student“. - It is easy to understand regular verbs as “doing something” in relation to the subject.
For example, it expresses “what to do“, such as “He plays soccer“.
Conversion of regular verbs:
- The form changes depending on the meaning of the sentence.
For example, the form of the verb changes depending on the subject, such as “I play” and “He plays.” - The form is different for affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences.
For example, the form of the verb changes depending on the form of the sentence, such as “She eats.” in the affirmative, “She does not eat.” in the negative, and “Does she eat?” in the interrogative.
“s” in the third person singular:
- When the subject is third person singular (he, she, it), “s” is added to the verb.
For example, “He runs.” and “She reads.“
However, “I” and “you” are exceptions, and “s” is not added.
When the verb is not in the present tense, the form of the verb changes, so there is no need to think about “s.”
For example, there is no “s” in the past or future tense, as in “He ran.” and “She will read.“
I hope this makes it easier to understand the difference between be verbs and regular verbs and how to use them.
