The English verb 'be' is pronounced as [bi:].
Related to:
irregular verbs.
3 forms of verb be: Infinitive (be), Past Simple - (was), Past Participle - (been).
Here are the past tense forms of the verb be
👉 Forms of verb be in future and past simple and past participle.
❓ What is the past tense of be.
Be: Past, Present, and Participle Forms
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| be [bi:] |
was [wɒz] were [wɜ:] |
been [bi:n] |
What are the 2nd and 3rd forms of the verb be?
🎓 What are the past simple, future simple, present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect forms of the base form (infinitive) 'be'?
Learn the three forms of the English verb 'be'
- the first form (V1) is 'be' used in present simple and future simple tenses.
- the second form (V2) is 'was', 'were' used in past simple tense.
- the third form (V3) is 'been' used in present perfect and past perfect tenses.
What are the past tense and past participle of be?
The past tense and past participle of be are: be in past simple is was, were, and past participle is been.
What is the past tense of be?
The past tense of the verb "be" is "was", or "were", and the past participle is "been".
Verb Tenses
Past simple — be in past simple was,
were
(V2).
Future simple — be in future simple is be (will + V1).
Present Perfect — be in present perfect tense is
been
(have/has + V3).
Past Perfect — be in past perfect tense is
been
(had + V3).
be regular or irregular verb?
👉 Is 'be' a regular or irregular verb? The verb 'be' is irregular verb.
Examples of Verb be in Sentences
- Is he your friend? (Present Simple)
- I am on a business trip, can you call me later? (Present Simple)
- We are in the theatre, so behave yourself! (Present Simple)
- What are you drinking tonight? (Present Continuous)
- Be my wife, and I will make you happy (Present Simple)
- Were you at home yesterday night? (Past Simple)
- No, I wasn't at home, I was on a date (Past Simple)
- She was very sad, so I decided to tell a joke (Past Simple)
- I have never been to the seaside (Present Perfect)
- Have you ever been ashamed? (Present Perfect)
- Will you be my maid of honour? (Future Simple)
