Learn
Who is speaking?
Use I am, you are, he is, she is, it is, we are, and they are. Choose the form according to the subject, not the word that follows it.
Age and short forms
Say I am ten or I am ten years old. Do not say I have ten years to give your age. I am becomes I’m, she is becomes she’s, and they are becomes they’re. The apostrophe marks missing letters.
Questions change the order
You are ready. is a statement. Are you ready? is a question. The short positive answer is Yes, I am. Do not use Yes, I’m. as a complete answer.
Worked examples
My name is Mila. I’m ten.
Mila gives her name and age in two short sentences.
Are you from Bristol? Yes, I am.
Are comes before you. The reply uses I because the speaker answers about themself.
Try it yourself
Your turn
Type the missing word, number, or sign. Spaces in large numbers are allowed. Try first, then open the explanation.
Write three sentences for an imaginary character: name, age, and place of origin.
See an example answer
My name is Leo. I am twelve. I am from Cardiff.
Check your knowledge
Choose one answer for each question. You can revise your answers and check again.
Answer key
- are. We takes are.
- I am ten.. Use be to give an age.
- Are you ready?. In this question form, are comes before you.
- she is. Here the apostrophe replaces the missing i.
- Yes, I am.. Use am with I, without contracting it at the end of this answer.