Grammar: The Verb 'to be'
A1 Lesson 8: Using "I am"
The Golden Rule for "am" 📖
A verb is a word that shows an action or a state. The most important verb in English is 'to be'. Today, we will learn its first form: am.
The rule is very easy. The verb am is a special partner that is ONLY used with the pronoun I.
The Only Rule You Need
I + am
How to Use "I am"
We use "I am" to say who we are or to describe ourselves. Here are some examples:
- To say your name: I am Vanna.
- To say your job: I am a tuk-tuk driver.
- To describe a feeling: I am happy. / I am tired.
- To say your location: I am in Siem Reap. / I am at the market.
- To say your nationality: I am Cambodian.
Grammar Toolkit 🛠️
💡 Pro Tip: Use Contractions to Sound Natural
In everyday speaking, we almost always use the short form, called a contraction. "I am" becomes "I'm". They mean the exact same thing.
| Long Form | Short Form (Contraction) |
|---|---|
| I am happy. | I'm happy. |
| I am a student. | I'm a student. |
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences
Complete the sentences below. There is only one correct answer!
- I ___ a cook at a restaurant. (Answer: am)
- I ___ excited to visit Angkor Wat. (Answer: am)
Now, rewrite these sentences using the short form (I'm).
- I am Cambodian. → I'm Cambodian.
- I am tired today. → I'm tired today.
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Write About Yourself
Write three sentences about yourself using "I am" or "I'm". Use the examples from the lesson to help you.
Example: I am a student. I am from Siem Reap. I'm happy.
Key Vocabulary
- Verb A word that shows an action or a state of being.
- Verb 'to be' A verb showing a state of existence; who or what something is.
- Feeling An emotional state, like happiness or sadness.
- Contraction A shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., I am → I'm).