These verb to be exercises help you make simple affirmative and interrogative sentences in English. Check your answers after you have completed each activity. A PDF worksheet is also available to download for free.
1. Exercise 1: the verb to be in the present simple
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb to be in the present simple tense.
1. I from Sudan.
I am from Sudan.
2. My family in the UK.
My family is in the UK.
3. My parents staying with me.
My parents are staying with me.
4. My brother two years younger than me.
My brother is two years younger than me.
5. They from Japan.
They are from Japan.
6. My brother and I twins.
My brother and I are twins.
7. My sisters kind.
My sisters are kind.
8.The government corrupted.
The government is corrupted.
9. I know someone who good at playing the guitar.
I know someone who is good at playing the guitar.
10. Nobody perfect.
Nobody is perfect.
2. Exercise 2: rearranging words to form sentences
Rearrange the words to form correct sentences.
1. a / is / Peter / student / . /
Peter is a student.
2. are / They / . / home / at
They are at home.
3. you / happy / ? / Are
Are you happy?
4. She / not / at / is / home / . /
She is not at home.
5. tired / am / . / I
I am tired.
6. park / the / They / are / not / at / . /
They are not at the park.
7. the / on / is / phone / . / He
He is on the phone.
8. in / the / are / They / . / kitchen
They are in the kitchen.
9. a / beautiful / is / It / . / day
It is a beautiful day.
10. am / late / I / not / . /
I am not late.
3. Exercise 3: short form of the verb to be
Complete the sentences with the short form of the verb be
1. Ihappy to see you.
I’m happy to see you.
2. Theynot at home.
They’re not at home.
3. Hestudying in the library.
He’s studying in the library.
4. Shea beautiful lady.
She’s a beautiful lady.
5. Wehere to help you.
We’re here to help you.
6. Younot alone.
You’re not alone.
7. Ita cat.
It’s a cat.
8. Inot feeling well today.
I’m not feeling well today.
9. I not sure what he wants.
I’m not sure what he wants.
10. Whonext?
Who’s next?
4. Exercise 4: past simple form
Select the correct past simple form of the verb to be to complete the sentences.
1. Where ________ you?
Where were you?
2. She ________ here a few minutes ago.
She was here a few minutes ago.
3. What ________ it?
What was it?
4. My husband and I ________ sick.
My husband and I were sick.
5. John ________ right.
John was right.
6. Life ________ difficult back then.
Life was difficult back then.
7. They ________ punished.
They were punished.
8. The film ________ not good.
The film was not good.
9. ________ it expensive?
Was it expensive?
10. That ________ the last time I saw her.
That was the last time I saw her.
5. Verb to be worksheet
This worksheet contains 12 multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of the verb to be. Click the toggle arrow below to check your answers.
- 1. This cake is delicious.
- 2. Someone is waiting for you outside.
- 3. Life is difficult.
- 4. My cat is sick.
- 5. Something is not right.
- 6. Everything is fine.
- 7. Lucas was told to leave the meeting.
- 8. Where was Elena last night?
- 9. People were scared.
- 10. Was the information useful?
- 11. How were women treated in the early twentieth century?
- 12. How was childbirth handled in the early days of human history?
