/biː/

/bi/

Definition & Meaning of "be"

to be

VERB

used when naming, or giving description or information about people, things, or situations

Linking Verb: to be [adj] | to be sb/sth | to be to do sth

Example

This cake is delicious.

My grandmother was 90.

This novel is a bestseller.

1.1

used for saying what something is made of

Linking Verb: to be particular constituent parts or material

Example

The market was several bustling stalls and shops.

Her necklace is genuine gold.

The forest is various types of trees and winding paths.

1.2

to express equality between things

Linking Verb: to be sth

Example

What is the value of 20 ounces in grams?

New York City is not the United States.

Let z be the result of the multiplication of m and n.

1.3

used for talking about the cost of something

cost

come to

Linking Verb: to be a particular price

Example

' What 's the price of the coffee machine? '

The meal at the restaurant was $ 50 per person.

The tomatoes are $ 2 per pound.

1.4

used for indicating who owns something or who it is meant for

Linking Verb: to be for sb | to be someone's

Example

This book is for Tim.

' Whose is this phone? '

' It 's not mine, and it 's not Tim 's. '

1.5

used for indicating how great the importance of something is to someone

Linking Verb: to be sth | to be [adj]

Example

The safety of our employees is our top priority.

Your health should be paramount to you.

Success is nothing without fulfillment in one 's personal life.

to happen or take place

Intransitive: to be somewhere | to be point in time

Example

The seminar is on Monday morning.

The lecture is on Wednesday evening.

The eclipse was in August.

to have an existence

Linking Verb: to be sb/sth

Example

There 's an interesting story behind that old painting.

Is there a solution to this complex problem?

Was there a delay in the flight schedule?

3.1

to occupy a place

lie

Intransitive: to be somewhere

Example

The school is at the end of Maple Avenue.

The files are in the filing cabinet.

The cat is under the bed.

3.2

to have a presence

Intransitive: to be somewhere

Example

The children are in the backyard.

Is there a doctor in the house?

There was a police in the other room.

used for talking about time

Linking Verb: to be a specific time | to be [adj]

Example

It 's five minutes past nine.

It 's 3:45 in the afternoon.

It 's midnight, and the city is quiet.

used for talking about the weather

Linking Verb: to be [adj]

Example

It was cloudy this morning.

It is sunny and warm at the beach today.

It 's cold in Alaska, but it 's typically not too windy.

used in the perfect tenses to mean to go or visit

Intransitive: to be somewhere

Example

Has he been to the new restaurant downtown?

Have you ever been to Paris?

I have n't been to the beach in ages.

6.1

used in the perfect tenses to mean to come or visit

Intransitive

Example

Has the cleaning service been to tidy up the house?

Have the painters been to finish the job?

The plumber has been to repair the leaky faucet.

used to express what someone has said

Example

During the negotiation, the client was like, " We need a better deal. "

During the meeting, the manager was like, " We need to improve our efficiency. "

She was all, " I ca n't believe you did n't tell me about the party! "

(auxiliary) used with the present participle form of a verb in forming progressive tenses

Example

Are you writing your thesis for the conference?

They are discussing the upcoming event.

The team is preparing for the upcoming match.

8.1

(auxiliary) used with the past participle form of a verb when forming the passive voice

Example

The question was answered by the expert.

The book was read by thousands of people.

The decision was made by the committee.

Example

This cake is delicious.

My grandmother was 90.

This novel is a bestseller.

This plant is a sunflower.

My brother is an architect.

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Definition & Meaning of "be"

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