English Language Arts
Grade 3
15 min
To be: use the correct form
To be: use the correct form
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the 'to be' verbs: am, is, are, was, and were.
Match the correct present tense 'to be' verb (am, is, are) with singular and plural subjects.
Match the correct past tense 'to be' verb (was, were) with singular and plural subjects.
Use the correct 'to be' verb in a sentence when writing about one person, place, or thing.
Use the correct 'to be' verb in a sentence when writing about more than one person, place, or thing.
Correct sentences that use the wrong form of the 'to be' verb.
Have you ever described yourself or your friends? 🙋♀️ You probably used a special kind of verb called a 'to be' verb without even knowing it!
Today, we will learn all about 'to be' verbs,...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
VerbA word that shows action or a state of being.The bird *sings*. The girl *is* tall.
To be VerbA special verb that tells us what something *is* or *is like*. It doesn't show action.She *is* a doctor. They *were* tired.
SubjectThe person, place, or thing a sentence is about.*The cat* is sleeping.
SingularMeans only one.One *book* is on the table.
PluralMeans more than one.Three *books* are on the table.
Present TenseTalking about something happening now.I *am* hungry now.
Past TenseTalking about something that already happened.Yesterday, I *was* hungry.
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Key Rules & Conventions
Present Tense 'To be' Verbs (Now)
I ➡️ am; He/She/It/Singular Noun ➡️ is; You/We/They/Plural Noun ➡️ are
Use these forms when you are talking or writing about something happening right now.
Past Tense 'To be' Verbs (Before)
I/He/She/It/Singular Noun ➡️ was; You/We/They/Plural Noun ➡️ were
Use these forms when you are talking or writing about something that already happened, like yesterday or last week.
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Challenging
Read this sentence: 'The girls was happy with their new toys.' How should this sentence be corrected?
A.Change 'was' to 'is'.
B.Change 'girls' to 'girl'.
C.Change 'was' to 'were'.
D.The sentence is already correct.
Challenging
Which sentence tells about something happening RIGHT NOW?
A.The moon was bright last night.
B.My birthday is next week.
C.We are learning about verbs.
D.They were at the zoo yesterday.
Challenging
Read the paragraph: 'Yesterday was the big game. All the fans were cheering. Our best player, Leo, ___ sick and couldn't play.' Which word fits the blank and matches the time of the story?
A.is
B.was
C.are
D.were
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