reinteractive

The Verb Is a Form of Be, Have, or Do

The verbs be, have, and do do not follow the regular patterns for forming singular and plural forms; they are irregular verbs.

These verbs cause problems for people who use only one form of the verb in casual conversation: You be the richest (incorrect). You are the richest (correct). In college and at work, use the correct form of the verbs be, have, and do as shown in the charts on the next page.

Forms of the Verb Be

PRESENT TENSE	SINGULAR	PLURAL
First person	I am	we are
Second person	you are	you are
Third person	she/he/it is	they are
	the student/Joe is	the students are
First person	I was	we were
Second person	you were	you were
Third person	she/he/it was	they were
	the student/Joe was	the students were

Forms of the Verb Have, Present Tense

	SINGULAR	PLURAL
First person	I have	we have
Second person	you have	you have
Third person	she/he/it has	they have
	the student/Joe has	the students have

Forms of the Verb Do, Present Tense

	SINGULAR	PLURAL
First person	I do	we do
Second person	you do	you do
Third person	she/he/it does	they do
	the student/Joe does	the students do