Learn English from A to Z

🔹 How “To Be” Works in English Grammar

In this lesson, we continue exploring how the verb “to be” is used in English. This verb plays a key role in two major grammar structures: progressive and passive.

🔄 The Two Uses of “To Be”

1. Progressive (Continuous)

This form shows that an action is ongoing.

Example:
I am eating pizza.
(Here, am is part of the progressive form, showing that the action is happening now.)

2. Passive Voice

This form focuses on the action or the object receiving the action, not the person doing it.

Example:
The pizza was eaten.
(We don’t know who ate it – and that’s okay!)

Passive Voice in Different Tenses

You can use the passive voice in the past, present, or future:

• Past Passive: The pizza was eaten.
• Present Passive: The pizza is eaten.
• Future Passive: The pizza will be eaten.

All of these sentences use the verb “to be” + a past participle.

💡 Reminder:

Passive = to be + past participle

We’ll talk more about past participles in the next video lesson.

✅ Practice Tip:

Try changing these active sentences into passive ones:

1. The teacher explains the lesson.
2. She cleaned the room.
3. They will finish the project.

📌 Stay tuned for the next lesson to learn more about past participles!