bi:

/biː/

Definition & Meaning of "be"in English

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

Examples

Today is her birthday.

Sarah is a talented artist.

1.1

used for saying what something is made of

Linking Verb: to be particular constituent parts or material

Examples

The cake is three layers of deliciousness.

Is your table solid wood?

1.2

to express equality between things

Linking Verb: to be sth

Examples

Two plus two is four.

Let y be the product of p and q.

1.3

used for talking about the cost of something

cost

come to

Linking Verb: to be a particular price

Examples

' What 's the price of the coffee machine? ' ' It 's $ 80.'

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

Examples

The car in the driveway is Mary 's; the other one is mine.

This book is for Tim.

1.5

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

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

Examples

Family was everything to me.

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

to have an existence

Linking Verb: to be sb/sth

Examples

Is there a solution to this complex problem?

There 's a rumor circulating about the new project.

2.1

to occupy a place

lie

Intransitive: to be somewhere

Examples

Once upon a time, there was a little cottage in the woods.

The park is across the street.

2.2

to have a presence

Intransitive: to be somewhere

Examples

Is there a doctor in the house?

There is a teacher in the classroom helping students with their assignments.

to happen or take place

Intransitive: to be somewhere | to be point in time

Examples

The graduation ceremony will be in the auditorium.

The annual festival is in July.

used for talking about time

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

Examples

It 's five minutes past nine.

It was early morning when the ceremony started.

used for talking about the weather

Linking Verb: to be [adj]

Examples

It is sunny and warm at the beach today.

Why is it so foggy near the mountains?

used in the perfect tenses to mean to go or visit

Intransitive: to be somewhere

Examples

Have you ever been to Paris?

She has n't been to the museum since it reopened.

6.1

used in the perfect tenses to mean to come or visit

Dialect

British

Intransitive

Examples

The plumber has been to repair the leaky faucet.

Has the cleaning service been to tidy up the house?

used to express what someone has said

Examples

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

When I suggested a road trip, he was like, " That sounds amazing! "

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

Examples

She is working on a new project.

We will be waiting for you at the airport.

8.1

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

Examples

The book was read by thousands of people.

The decision was made by the committee.

Nearby Words

Definition & Meaning of "be"in English

Download Mobile App