be
Base form
be
/biː/
Past simple
was / were
/wɒz/ /wɜː(r)//wʌz/ /wɜːr/
Past participle
been
/biːn//bɪn/
MeaningA1
to exist, or to have a quality
to be born in May
In use
- After a modal verb · Form 1You should be at the station by half past seven.
- Imperative · Form 1Be careful, the kitchen floor is still wet.
- Past simple · Form 2I was really tired after the long journey yesterday.
- Past simple · Form 2We were at my grandmother’s house all last weekend.
- Past perfect · Form 3Maria had never been on a plane before her trip to Rome.
- Present perfect · Form 3It has been very cold here since Monday.
Watch out
Was for I / he / she / it, were for you / we / they: we was → we were. The third form is been.
Irregular VerbsLearn all three forms for good
Short lessons by frequency or by pattern, audio for every form and daily reviews that bring back exactly the verbs you are about to forget.
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