Simple Present Tense: 'to Be' Verb Exercises - Multiple Choice Quiz

The verb "to be" in the present tense is conjugated differently depending on the subject. For the subject "I," we use "am," which is the correct first-person singular form. In English, we use "am" exclusively with the pronoun "I." The verb "is" is used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it), and "are" is used for plural subjects and the second-person singular pronoun "you." Understanding subject-verb agreement is essential for correct sentence formation. "Am" is the only correct form of the verb "to be" for the subject "I."

The verb "to be" must match the subject in person and number. The subject "He" is a singular third-person pronoun, so we use "is," the third-person singular form of the verb "to be." In English, "is" is used for singular subjects, such as "he," "she," or "it." The verb "are" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "you," while "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Using "is" ensures the correct subject-verb agreement, which is essential for forming grammatically accurate and clear sentences in English.

The subject "we" is a plural pronoun, meaning it refers to more than one person or thing. In English, the verb "to be" agrees with the subject in number and person. For plural subjects, we use "are" as the correct verb form. "Is" is used for singular third-person subjects, while "am" is used only with the subject "I." The sentence "We are hot" correctly uses "are" because the subject "we" is plural. This is a fundamental aspect of subject-verb agreement in English grammar, which ensures proper sentence structure.

The subject "David & Manuel" refers to two individuals, making it a plural subject. In English, we use "are" when the subject is plural. "Is" is used for singular third-person subjects, and "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." In this case, the correct choice is "are" because "David & Manuel" are two people. Ensuring subject-verb agreement is crucial for correct grammar. "Are" maintains the plural agreement between the subject "David & Manuel" and the verb, which is a fundamental rule in constructing grammatically correct sentences.

The subject "Cecy, Daisy, and Yulissa" refers to three people, which makes it plural. In English, the verb "to be" agrees with the subject in number. For plural subjects, we use "are." "Is" would be incorrect here because it is used with singular subjects. Additionally, "am" is reserved for the first-person singular subject "I." By using "are," we maintain subject-verb agreement and ensure the sentence is grammatically correct. This rule of agreement between the subject and verb is essential in ensuring clarity and correctness in English.

The subject "Sr. Davis" is singular, referring to one person. In English, when the subject is singular, we use "is" as the verb form of "to be." "Are" is incorrect here because it is used with plural subjects, and "am" is used only with the first-person singular pronoun "I." The sentence "Sr. Davis is tall" uses "is" correctly because it matches the singular subject "Sr. Davis." This is a basic rule of subject-verb agreement in English, ensuring that the verb form corresponds correctly with the subject.

"The sky" is a singular subject, referring to one thing. In English, singular subjects take the verb "is" in the present tense. "Are" would be incorrect because it is used with plural subjects, and "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Since "the sky" is singular, we use "is" to ensure the sentence follows the subject-verb agreement rule. This principle of subject-verb agreement is essential for proper English grammar, ensuring clarity and correctness in expressing singular ideas or objects.

"Tony & Jonathan" is a plural subject because it refers to more than one person. In English, the verb "to be" must agree with the number of the subject. For plural subjects, we use "are" in the present tense. "Is" is incorrect here because it is used with singular third-person subjects. Additionally, "am" is used with the first-person singular subject "I," not plural subjects. The correct verb choice, "are," reflects the plural subject "Tony & Jonathan," ensuring proper subject-verb agreement, which is crucial for accurate sentence construction.

"Ms. Smith's class" is a collective noun referring to a group of students, but it is treated as a singular entity. In English, collective nouns are often considered singular, so they take the singular form of the verb "to be," which is "is." While "class" refers to a group of individuals, the noun is seen as a unit or collective whole, requiring "is" for subject-verb agreement. Therefore, the correct sentence is "Ms. Smith's class is small," ensuring proper subject-verb agreement with the singular collective noun.

The subject "you" can refer to both singular and plural forms, but it always takes the verb "are" in the present tense. In English, "are" is the correct form of the verb "to be" for the second-person singular or plural pronoun "you." This rule applies whether "you" refers to one person or a group. Therefore, the sentence "You are nice" is grammatically correct because "are" agrees with the subject "you." This subject-verb agreement rule is essential for proper sentence structure in English, ensuring clarity and correctness.

"The school" is a singular subject, and the verb "to be" must agree with the number of the subject. For singular subjects, we use "is." "Are" would be incorrect because it is used with plural subjects. "Am" is only used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." In this case, "is" is the correct form because it agrees with the singular subject "The school." This subject-verb agreement ensures grammatical accuracy, which is vital for forming proper sentences in English, especially when describing singular subjects.

The subject "My mother and my brother" is plural because it refers to two people. In English, when the subject is plural, we use the verb "are." "Is" is used with singular third-person subjects, and "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Therefore, "are" is the correct verb form here to match the plural subject "My mother and my brother." This subject-verb agreement rule is essential for grammatical correctness and clarity in constructing sentences that accurately reflect the number of the subject.

The subject "books" is plural because it refers to more than one book. In English, the verb "to be" must agree with the number of the subject. For plural subjects, the correct verb form is "are." "Is" is incorrect because it is used with singular subjects, and "am" is only used with the first-person singular subject "I." Since "books" is plural, we use "are" to ensure subject-verb agreement. This principle is a key aspect of English grammar, helping to maintain clarity and correctness in sentence construction.

The subject "The yellow box and the pink box" is plural because it refers to two objects. In English, when the subject is plural, the verb "to be" must be conjugated as "are." "Is" is incorrect because it is used with singular subjects, and "am" is used only with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Since "The yellow box and the pink box" is plural, we use "are" to ensure subject-verb agreement. This rule is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences that reflect the plurality of the subject.

The subject "Sandra and I" refers to two people, which is plural. In English, when referring to two or more people, we use the verb "are" in the present tense. "Is" is incorrect because it is used with singular third-person subjects, and "am" is only used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." "Are" ensures the correct subject-verb agreement, aligning with the plural subject "Sandra and I." This grammatical rule helps to form clear, accurate sentences that reflect proper English usage for plural subjects.