be
Be (verb) means to exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state. Example: “She wants to be a doctor one day.”
How to use be
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe most basic verb in English, used to state what something is, or to help build other verb tenses.
Learners often mix up "is/are" with plural subjects, e.g. "the news are" instead of "the news is."
Its forms (am, is, are, was, were, being, been) don't follow normal verb patterns — they simply have to be memorised.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
are plural, 're plural, be plural, been plural, were plural, bes plural, am singular, 'm singular, be singular, was singular, 's singular, were singular, are singular, art singular, 're singular, 'rt singular, wast singular, wert singular, is singular, beeth singular, bes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wants to _____ a doctor one day.
Etymology
From Old English "bēon," combined over time with two other Old English verbs ("wesan" and forms giving us "am," "is," "are") that all meant roughly "to exist" — which is why "be" has such an unusually irregular set of forms (am, is, are, was, were, been).
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “be” mean?
The word “be” means to exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state. In plain terms, the most basic verb in English, used to state what something is, or to help build other verb tenses.
How do you pronounce “be”?
“Be” is pronounced BEE (/ˈbiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “be” in a sentence?
Here is “be” used in a sentence: “She wants to be a doctor one day.”
What is another word for “be”?
Words with a similar meaning to “be” include get.
What part of speech is “be”?
“Be” is a verb.
Where does the word “be” come from?
The word “be” comes from Old English.
Is “be” a common word?
“Be” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “be” have?
“Be” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state.
What are the different forms of the verb "be"?
"Be" is the most irregular verb in English, with eight forms: be, am, is, are, was, were, being, and been. Which form you use depends on the subject and the tense: "I am", "she is", "they were", "we have been."
When is "be" used as a helping (auxiliary) verb?
"Be" combines with other verbs to form continuous tenses ("she is running", "they were waiting") and the passive voice ("the window was broken", "the results are being checked"). In these uses it carries the tense while the main verb carries the meaning.
What is the difference between "be" and "become"?
"Be" describes a state or identity that exists: "he is a doctor." "Become" describes a change into that state: "he became a doctor." Once the change is complete, "be" takes over: "she became famous, and now she is famous."
Why do we say "that he be" in sentences like "They insisted that he be on time"?
This is the subjunctive, used after verbs of demanding, suggesting, and requiring, such as insist, recommend, request, and suggest. The base form "be" replaces "is" or "are" in the that-clause: "It's essential that everyone be informed." It also survives in fixed phrases like "so be it."
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing be in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Assistant head coach Chris Foerster will assume some of Shanahan's duties until he returns, though Lynch said it will be a group effort to fill in for Shanahan.
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