Use Forms of Be
1 TRY OUT LANGUAGE
2 LEARN GRAMMAR
3 APPLY ON YOUR OWN
The verb be has special forms to tell about the present and the past.
• The verb be is irregular. An irregular verb does not follow the rules that regular verbs follow for making past tense forms.
Past tense: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a great leader. Present tense: Today, he is a hero to many people. • The verb form for he, she, or it is used with the name of a person or a thing, such as Martin, Coretta, or the speech.
EXAMPLE Martin was a minister like his father. • The verb form for they is used for two or more people or things, such as Martin and Coretta, or the speeches.
EXAMPLE Martin and Coretta were husband and wife.
Practice Together
Change the verb in the box to the past tense. Say it. Then say the sentence and add the past tense verb.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a famous leader who fought for equal rights.
1. am I ______ excited to hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speak.
2. is His wife ______ in a seat near us.
3. are His words ______ incredible.
4. are We ______ fortunate to hear him speak.
Try It!
Change the verb in the box to the past tense. Write the past tense verb on a card. Then say the sentence and add the past tense verb.
5. is Martin ______ an amazing man.
6. are His followers ______ very loyal.
7. are You ______ at the civil rights march.
8. is One man ______ there to march for equal job opportunities.