To be in the present simple tense (affirmative form): How and When to Use in English

Shorty is the hotel porter, with is, which is the simple present form of the verb to be To be, present simple tense that we use for subjects such as he, she and it (here Shorty = he). Generally speaking, we use is after the name of a person, animal, object or place. Examples: Tim is Anna's son; the hotel is in the city centre.

You could say, for example, Shorty and John are hotel porters, with are referring to the subject they (Shorty + John = they), and not to he (= Shorty) as in the original sentence.

The form am follows the subject I, not the name of a person like Shorty. Example: I am cool!

They are American guests. You can use the verb to be, for example, to introduce yourself and say which city or country you are from. Example: they are Lucy and Mark and they are from London.

You can use is when the subject is he/she/it or after a name, but not after they. Example: Mr. Obama is an American guest.

You can use am after the subject I, but not after they. Example: I am Irish.

I am Bruno. This is how you introduce yourself. Example: -I am Laura. -Nice to meet you!

You can say she is Laura or he is Luke, but you cannot use is after the subject I.

Are follows subjects like we, you or they, not I. Example: we are the champions, my friend!

Caroline is the hotel's chef, with is, which is the form of the verb to be To be, present simple tense that you use after the name of a person like Caroline (= she). Example: Magda is a kind receptionist.

I am 35 years old is how you tell someone your own age. Example: I am young. I am 15 years old.

You are beautiful. The form of the verb to be that we use after the subject you (both singular and plural) is are. Use the verb to be before an adjective (here beautiful) to describe people, animals or objects. Example: you are tall.

I am is the present form of the verb to be To be, present simple tense that you can use to talk about yourself. The short form, which is mainly used in informal situations, is I'm . Example: I am from Manchester.

He/she/it is . The short forms are he's, she's, it's . You can use the verb to be to talk about a person's age, nationality and job. Examples: he is/he's 20 years old; she is/she's Canadian.

They are . The short form is they're . Example: they are/they're English students.