The word “is” may seem small and simple, but it plays a very important role in English grammar. If you are learning English, you probably see and hear the word “is” in many sentences every day.
But have you ever wondered what part of speech “is” belongs to?
Understanding how “is” works in English sentences will help you speak and write more clearly. In this article, you will learn what part of speech “is” is, how it functions in grammar, and how to use it correctly with easy examples.
The word “is” is a verb.
More specifically, “is” is the present tense form of the verb “to be.”
The verb “to be” is one of the most important verbs in English because it helps us:
- describe people or things
- identify someone or something
- show that something exists
- form different verb tenses
Examples:
She is happy.
The sky is blue.
This is my phone.
In English grammar, “is” can function in two main ways:
- As a linking verb
- As a helping (auxiliary) verb
“Is” as a Linking Verb
A linking verb connects the subject of a sentence to a word that describes or identifies it.
The word “is” often works as a linking verb.
Examples:
She is happy.
The sky is blue.
This is my phone.
The book is interesting.
In these sentences, “is” connects the subject to information about it.
For example:
She is happy.
Here:
- She = subject
- happy = description
- is connects them
“Is” as a Helping (Auxiliary) Verb
Sometimes “is” helps another verb in the sentence. In this case, it is called a helping verb or auxiliary verb.
Helping verbs help form different verb tenses.
One common example is the present continuous tense.
Structure:
is + verb-ing
Examples:
- She is studying for her exam.
It is raining outside.
He is working late tonight.
The children are playing in the park.
Here, “is” helps the main verb show that the action is happening right now.
Forms of the Verb “To Be”
The verb “to be” changes depending on the subject and tense.
Here are the common forms of the verb to be.
| Tense | Forms of “To Be” |
|---|---|
| Present | am, is, are |
| Past | was, were |
| Future | will be |
| Present participle | being |
| Past participle | been |
The form “is” is used with singular subjects in the present tense.
Examples:
- He is tired.
- She is my sister.
- The dog is sleeping.
When Do We Use “Is”?
The word “is” is used with singular subjects in the present tense.
Common subjects used with “is” include:
- he
- she
- it
- singular nouns
Examples:
He is my friend.
She is very kind.
The dog is barking.
The lesson is easy.
Examples of “Is” in Sentences
Here are some simple examples showing how “is” works in English sentences.
Positive sentences:
- He is my best friend.
- This is very easy.
- She is ready to go.
Questions:
- Is he coming?
- Is it true?
- Is she ready?
Negative sentences:
- She is not home.
- He is not ready.
- It is not raining.
You can also use the contraction isn’t instead of is not.
Example:
She isn’t here.
“Is” in Passive Voice
The word “is” is also used in passive voice sentences.
Structure:
is + past participle
Examples:
The project is completed on time.
The book is written by a famous author.
The room is cleaned every day.
Here, “is” helps form the passive structure.
Quick Answer: What Part of Speech is “Is”?
To summarize:
- “Is” is a verb.
- It is the present tense form of the verb “to be.”
- It can function as a linking verb or a helping verb in English sentences.
Understanding how “is” works in English grammar will help you form correct sentences and improve your speaking and writing.
Examples of “Is” in Sentences
As a linking veb
- My neice is her class’s valedictorian.
- Our library book is overdue.
- The bear is brown
- Language Arts is my favorite class.
As an auxiliary verb
- It is supposed to rain tonight.
- My mother is training for a 5k.
- As I recall the story, he is remembering the details.
- My PC is running a new Linux distro.
Examples of “Is” in Sentences
In positive sentences:
- He is my best friend.
- This is very easy.
- She is ready to go.
To make questions or negatives, simply change the word order or add not.
- Is he coming?
- She is not home.
- Is it true?
You can also use the contraction isn’t in place of is not.
Conclusion
The word “is” may look simple, but it is one of the most important verbs in English grammar. It is the present tense form of the verb “to be” and is used in many types of sentences.
As you learned in this article, “is” can work as both a linking verb and a helping verb, depending on how it is used.
Once you understand what part of speech “is” belongs to, it becomes much easier to build correct and natural English sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the word “is” a verb?
Yes. The word “is” is a verb and a form of the verb “to be.”
Can “is” be a helping verb?
Yes. “Is” can function as a helping verb when it is used with another verb.
Example:
She is dancing.
What tense is “is”?
“Is” is the present tense form of the verb “to be.”
It is used with singular subjects such as he, she, it, or a singular noun.
I hope this article helped you learn what part of speech is Is. If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our newsletter for more articles on English grammar. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for tips and updates.
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