Be or do

When to use be and when to use do, as main verbs and as auxiliary verbs.

For teachers:Download worksheet + answer key (PDF)

Explanation

Be (am, is, are, was, were, been)

"Be" is an irregular verb that serves as both a main verb and an auxiliary verb (helping verb) in English.

As a main verb, "be" is used to indicate a state of being, identity, existence, or condition. As an auxiliary verb, "be" is used to create continuous tenses (present continuous, past continuous, future continuous) and the passive voice.

Examples of "be" as a main verb:

I am a teacher. (identity)
She is happy. (state of being)
They were at the party. (existence)

Examples of "be" as an auxiliary verb:

He is studying for his exams. (present continuous tense)
The book was written by a famous author. (passive voice)

Do (do, does, did, done)

"Do" is an irregular verb that is mainly used as an auxiliary verb to form questions, negatives, and emphatic statements in English.

As an auxiliary verb, "do" is used to create the simple present and simple past tenses. Examples of "do" as an auxiliary verb:

Do you like ice cream? (question in simple present tense)
She doesn't speak Spanish. (negative in simple present tense)
Did they finish their homework? (question in simple past tense)

Usage of "Be" and "Do"

"Be" is used to describe a state of being, to connect the subject to its description, or to indicate existence.

"Do" is used to form questions and negatives in the simple present and simple past tenses, as well as for emphasis. For example:

She is a doctor. (using "be" to describe her identity as a doctor)
They are in the garden. (using "be" to indicate their existence in the garden)
Do you like coffee? (using "do" to form a question in simple present tense)
He didn't finish his homework. (using "do" to create a negative in simple past tense)
I do love watching movies. (using "do" for emphasis)

Practice

Exercise 1

Choose the correct answer.

1. What ______ your favourite colour?

2. I ______ a student at the local university.

3. ______ they coming to the party tonight?

4. She ______ a doctor at the hospital.

5. How ______ you feel about the new job offer?

6. ______ he often visit his grandparents?

7. They ______ ready to leave for the concert.

8. What time ______ the movie start?

9. I ______ not interested in participating in the competition.

10. ______ you want some coffee?