Be Word Meaning

Old English bēon, an irregular and defective verb, whose full conjugation derives from several originally distinct verbs. The forms am and is are from an Indo-European root shared by Latin sum and est. The forms was and were are from an Indo-European root meaning ‘remain’. The forms be and been are from an Indo-European root shared by Latin fui ‘I was’, fio ‘I become’, and Greek phuein ‘bring forth, cause to grow’. The origin of are is uncertain

exist

exist

• there are no easy answers
• there once was a man
• there must be something wrong
• I think, therefore I am

used with a present participle to form continuous tenses

forming continuous tenses

• they are coming
• he had been reading
• she will be waiting

occur; take place

occur

• the exhibition will be in November
• the opening event is on October 16
• that was before the war

used with a past participle to form the passive voice

forming passive

• it was done
• it is said
• his book will be published

having the state, quality, identity, nature, role, etc., specified

have state or role

• Amy was 91
• the floor was uneven
• I want to be a teacher
• father was not well
• it will be Christmas soon
• ‘Be careful,’ Mr Carter said

used to indicate something that is due or destined to happen

be due

• construction is to begin next summer
• his mum was never to see him win

say

say

• last time I saw her she was all ‘You need to quit smoking!’

used with the past participle of intransitive verbs to form perfect tenses

forming perfect tenses

• I am returned