FORM AND FUNCTION OF “BE

FORM AND FUNCTION OF “BE

Form of “be” : is, am, are        was, were,        to be, be           been, being.
Function of “be” :

1. 1. As a main verb :

1. be + a noun                                                                  Bill is a manager
2. be + an adjective                                                          He is intelligent
3. be + a prep. Phrase                                                      He is in his room

1. As an auxiliary verb :

1. Continuous verb tense                                                   He is taking case of some guest
2. Passive sentence                                                           I was born in Mojokerto

1. 3. Used with the infinitive

1. To convey orders or instructions:

No one is to leave this building without the permission of the police (=no one must leave)
He is to stay here till we return (= he must stay)

1. To convey a plan :

She is to be married next month
The expedition is to start in a week’s time
In headlines the verb “be” is often omitted to save space:
Prime minister to make statement tomorrow.

1. Express the immediate future :

They are about to start = They are just going to start. / They are not the point of starting.
They are just about to leave ( more immediate )

1. To express a more remote future, usually a future in the past :

They said goodbye, little knowing that they were never to meet again (= were never destined to meet)