Grade 1 English Language Structures And Functions – Use of Am, is, are Notes
Language Structures and Functions — Use of "am", "is", "are"
These notes help young learners (age 6) learn how to use the words am, is and are in simple sentences.
Who uses which word?
- I + am — I am happy. 😊
- He / She / It + is — He is tall. 👦🏾
- We / You / They + are — They are ready. 👫
Examples (Kenyan everyday words)
- I am at school. 🏫
- Mama is in the kitchen. 🍳
- The matatu is full. 🚌
- We are friends. 🤝
- The cat is small. 🐱
- You are kind. 😊
Negative sentences
Put not after the verb:
- I am not sad. 😐
- He is not here. 🚫
- They are not hungry. 🍎🚫
(Short forms: isn't = is not, aren't = are not)
Questions
Put the verb before the person:
- Am I late? ⏰
- Is she your friend? 👧🏽
- Are they at home? 🏠
Practice — Fill the blanks
- I ___ happy. 😊
- She ___ a teacher. 👩🏽🏫
- They ___ at school. 🏫
- The dog ___ big. 🐶
- We ___ not tired. 😴🚫
- ___ you my friend? (question)
Try to answer aloud or write the words: am, is, are, is, are not / aren't, Are
Quick rules to remember
- Use am only with I.
- Use is with one person or thing: he, she, it or one noun.
- Use are with more than one person/thing: we, you, they or many nouns.
Answers (for practice)
- I am happy.
- She is a teacher.
- They are at school.
- The dog is big.
- We are not tired. (We aren't tired.)
- Are you my friend?
Good job! Practice with your teacher or parent. Say sentences about people at home or school: "My brother is hungry." "I am sleepy."