third-person singular verb
It shows a person's or thing's identity, name, job, or relationship.
She is my manager.
This is our new car.
American English
How to pronounce is
verb · auxiliaryA1Very common word
IHZ
/ɪz/
One syllable.
Form of be
Use is with he, she, it, and singular nouns. Use am with I and are with you, we, and they.
It shows a person's or thing's identity, name, job, or relationship.
What to listen for
“Is” is usually pronounced /ɪz/ when said alone or when you emphasize it. In natural connected speech, especially after a vowel, it can be reduced to /z/.
usual form/ɪz/
reduced form/z/
Meanings & examples
third-person singular verb
It shows a quality, feeling, or condition of a person or thing.
The coffee is hot.
He is very kind.
third-person singular verb
It shows that a person or thing is in a particular place or position.
The store is on Main Street.
Her phone is in her bag.
third-person singular verb
It is used with there to say that something exists or is present.
There is a message for you.
There is plenty of time.
Useful expressions
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.
Related words & forms
beinggerundbeenpast participlewerepast with you, we, or theywaspast with I, he, she, or itampresent with Iarepresent with you, we, or theyispresent with he, she, or it
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.