Am
0 synonyms and 0 antonyms for Am, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — The first-person singular present form of "to be," used with "I."
We haven't recorded synonyms for Am yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
Etymology
From Old English eom, part of the highly irregular verb "to be," inherited from a very old Indo-European root.
Full origin of Am →Frequently asked questions
What does “Am” mean?
The word “Am” means the first-person singular present form of "to be," used with "I.". In plain terms, the form of "be" that goes with "I" — "I am," never "I is" or "I are.".
How do you use “Am” in a sentence?
Here is “Am” used in a sentence: “I am ready to leave whenever you are.”
What part of speech is “Am”?
“Am” is a verb.
Where does the word “Am” come from?
The word “Am” comes from Old English. From Old English eom, part of the highly irregular verb "to be," inherited from a very old Indo-European root.
Is “Am” a common word?
“Am” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
When do you use "am," "is," and "are"?
All three are present-tense forms of "to be." "Am" is used only with "I" ("I am ready"), "is" with singular third-person subjects ("she is ready"), and "are" with "you," "we," and "they" ("they are ready").
Is "aren't I" correct English?
Yes — "aren't I" is the accepted tag question for "I am," as in "I'm on the list, aren't I?" Standard English has no everyday "amn't," so "aren't I" fills the gap; in very formal writing you can use "am I not" instead.
Can you drop the "I" and just say "am"?
In standard writing, no — "am" is the first-person singular form of "to be" and needs its subject: "I am on my way." Dropping the pronoun ("am on my way") is common in quick messages and some dialects, but it is nonstandard in formal English.
Is "I'm" acceptable instead of "I am" in formal writing?
"I'm" is the contraction of "I am" and is perfectly acceptable in emails, fiction, and everyday writing. Academic papers and very formal documents usually spell out "I am," but the contraction is never grammatically wrong.