Using "to be" in English
Using "to be" in English
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Using "to be" in English
Open with the idea that students already use forms like 'I am' and 'you are' in simple sentences. This lesson focuses on meaning, form, and translation into Dutch.
Learning goal
I can use am, is, and are correctly and translate simple to be sentences between English and Dutch.
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Which words do you link to "to be" or "zijn"?
Use this as prior knowledge activation after the learning goal. Expect words such as am, is, are, zijn, ben, happy, at home, question, and not. Briefly connect student answers to meaning, form, and translation.
What does "to be" mean?
The verb to be is one of the most common verbs in English.
It often means zijn in Dutch.
We use it to:
say who someone is
describe people or things
say where someone or something is
tell how someone feels
Keep the explanation practical. Avoid too much grammar metalanguage at first; students at A2/B1 level benefit from meaning before labels.
English and Dutch
I am happy.
You are my friend.
He is in class.
We are ready.
Dutch
English
Ik ben blij.
Jij bent mijn vriend.
Hij is in de klas.
Wij zijn klaar.
Point out that Dutch has forms like ben, bent, is, zijn, while English mainly uses am, is, are in the present simple.
The present forms
Use these forms in the present tense:
I am
you are
he is
she is
it is
we are
they are
You can briefly mention that English does not change as much as Dutch here, which often feels easier for learners.
Funny examples
I am a ninja before breakfast.
You are very slow for a superhero.
My cat is the boss of the house.
We are late because the dog was sleeping on my shoe.
Use humour to lower anxiety and show that grammar can be playful. Read the sentences aloud with expression.
Short forms
In speaking and informal writing, we often use short forms:
I am → I'm
you are → you're
he is → he's
she is → she's
it is → it's
we are → we're
they are → they're
Remind students that short forms are very common in everyday English, but full forms are still useful when learning and when stressing a word.
Which form is correct with "I"?
is
am
are
be
Checks the core form from slides 2 to 6. Distractors match common overgeneralising errors.
Complete the forms
In English, we say I am happy and you are my friend. In Dutch, that is ik ben blij and jij bent mijn vriend.
This echoes the English/Dutch comparison on slides 3 and 4. The blanks focus on the load-bearing forms, not small function words.
Spinner time: which subject shall we use for a new funny sentence?
I
you
he/she
they
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Positive sentences
A positive sentence tells us a fact or description.
Pattern:
subject + am/is/are + extra information
Examples:
I am tired.
The biscuits are on the table.
My teacher is kind.
The word 'subject' may need a quick reminder: the person or thing the sentence is about.
Positive sentences: translation
I am at home.
They are funny.
The film is boring.
Dutch
Ik ben thuis.
Zij zijn grappig.
De film is saai.
English
You can note that 'they' can translate as 'zij' or 'ze' depending on style.
More playful examples
We are in class, but our minds are on holiday.
You are not a potato, even if you feel tired.
My socks are missing again.
These examples prepare students for the idea that the verb can be used with people and things.
Negative sentences
To make a sentence negative, add not.
I am not sleepy.
You are not late.
He is not my brother.
Short forms:
isn't = is not
aren't = are not
At this level, it is fine to focus on isn't and aren't. You may mention 'I'm not' as the natural negative form for 'I am not'.
Negative sentences: translation
Ik ben niet boos.
Wij zijn niet klaar.
De hond heeft geen honger / is niet hongerig.
I am not angry.
We are not ready.
The dog isn't hungry.
Dutch
English
The last example is a useful translation note: not every sentence translates word for word. Mention that natural Dutch sometimes changes the structure.
Which sentence is negative?
Are you ready?
We are funny.
He isn't tired.
I am at home.
Checks whether students can recognise a negative sentence after the positive/negative block.
Positive or negative?
I am at home. They are funny. We are not ready. The dog isn't hungry.
Uses forms and examples directly from slides 8 to 11. 'Are not' and 'isn't' reinforce how negation is made.
Why is translation not always word for word?
Expected answer elements: students should mention that English and Dutch do not always translate word for word, for example 'The dog isn't hungry' can become 'De hond heeft geen honger' or 'De hond is niet hongerig'. Discuss natural translation versus literal translation.
Questions with "to be"
To make a question, put am, is, or are before the subject.
Pattern:
am/is/are + subject + extra information?
Examples:
Are you ready?
Is she at home?
Am I early?
This is an important structure point. Emphasise the word order change from statement to question.
Questions: translation
Are they at school?
Is it cold?
Am I in the right room?
English
Zijn zij op school?
Is het koud?
Ben ik in het juiste lokaal?
Dutch
Point out that Dutch also often puts the verb first in yes/no questions, which helps students see a familiar pattern.
Funny questions
Are you a secret wizard?
Is your hamster a maths expert?
Am I dreaming, or is that banana wearing sunglasses?
Keep the focus on form: the humour is there to support memory, not distract from structure.
Common mistakes
Watch out for these errors:
I is happy. ✗ → I am happy. ✓
He are tired. ✗ → He is tired. ✓
Are she here? ✗ → Is she here? ✓
They is funny. ✗ → They are funny. ✓
Students often choose the wrong form because they translate too quickly or guess from sound. Slow matching of subject + verb helps.
Word order summary
Statement
subject + am/is/are + extra information
Negative
subject + am/is/are + not + extra information
Question
am/is/are + subject + extra information?
This slide is the clean summary of the three sentence types. You can use it as the main board reference during explanation.
Useful mini-examples
She is my sister.
We aren't at the station.
Are they from Amsterdam?
It is very noisy.
I am eleven years old.
You are welcome.
This slide gives quick model sentences with different subjects and meanings: identity, place, origin, description, age, and polite expression.
Which question is correct?
Are she here?
Is she here?
She is here?
Am she here?
Built from the question pattern and the common mistakes slide. Distractors reflect real learner errors.
Check the word order
She is my sister. We aren't at the station. Are they from Amsterdam? I am eleven years old.
This summarises statement, negative, and question word order using the mini-examples from slide 17.
What changes when a statement becomes a question?
Expected answer elements: a good response mentions that statements start with the subject, negatives add not after am/is/are, and questions start with am/is/are before the subject. Invite students to compare these patterns.
What is one thing you learned today?
Reflection only. Encourage short, personal answers about what they learned, such as am/is/are, negatives, questions, or translation into Dutch.
What helped you understand "to be" best?
Reflection only. Students can mention funny examples, the English/Dutch translation pairs, short forms, or the summary patterns.
How confident do you feel about using am, is, and are now?
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Glossary
to be - the English verb zijn
subject - the person or thing the sentence is about
positive sentence - a normal sentence that states something
negative sentence - a sentence with not
question - a sentence that asks something
short form - a shorter form such as I'm or they're
translate - change words from one language into another
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