American English

How to pronounce am

verb · auxiliary · otherA1Very common word

AAM

/æm/

One syllable.

Form of be

As a verb, am is used with I. In time expressions, am means before noon.

Used with I to say that I have a particular identity, name, job, or relationship.

What to listen for

“Am” is pronounced /æm/ when said alone or emphasized, but in natural connected speech—especially in “I am …”—it is often reduced to /əm/.

Full form/æm/

Reduced form/əm/

present verb with I

Used with I to say that I have a particular identity, name, job, or relationship.

/æm/Full form/əm/Reduced form

I am a doctor.

I am her brother.

present verb with I

Used with I to describe my quality, feeling, or condition.

/æm/Full form/əm/Reduced form

I am happy today.

I am careful with money.

present verb with I

Used with I to say that I am in a particular place or position.

/æm/Full form/əm/Reduced form

I am at home.

I am in the kitchen.

present auxiliary with I

Used with I before a verb ending in -ing to show that I am doing something now or around now.

/æm/Full form/əm/Reduced form

I am reading a report.

I am waiting for the bus.

to plan or expect to do something in the future

I'm going to call her tonight.

to have the ability or opportunity to do something

She is able to work from home.

to be ready to do something very soon

The train is about to leave.

Be has irregular forms. Say “I am,” “he is,” and “you are”; in the past, use “was” with I/he/she/it and “were” with you/we/they.