The Verb "To Be" Worksheets

About These 15 Worksheets

The verb “to be” might feel tiny and simple – “am,” “is,” “are,” “was,” “were” – but it’s secretly one of the busiest, most important verbs in English. It’s the backbone of describing who we are, where things are, how things are, and what was or will be. Mixing up “was” vs “were,” for example, is like telling someone’s story with wrong dates – it throws off the whole picture. These worksheets are your toolkit for mastering “to be,” so your sentences won’t wobble or sound shaky.

What’s awesome about this set is how it builds up slowly yet thoroughly. It starts simple (spotting forms, filling tables) but then steps up: fill in blanks, pick the right form in tricky sentences, compare “been” vs “being,” work with continuous forms, do stories in past tense. You get chances to notice mistakes (yours or others’), fix them, then use the forms in your own writing. That mix of recognition + correction + creation is what helps something go from “I think I know” to “I know.”

By the end of this collection, students won’t just say “am-is-are” without thinking – they’ll feel which form sounds right. Their writing will sound smoother (“She was happy,” not “She were happy”), more confident. They’ll use “being,” “been,” past forms, present forms – with fewer second guesses. And they’ll realize: mastering “to be” is like getting the foundation right in building – once it’s solid, everything else you build feels stronger.

Plus, there’s something satisfying about knowing you nailed these little verbs. It’s like leveling up in a game: each worksheet is a mini-boss you beat. Each time you pick the right verb, correct a mistake, or use “been” vs “being” smoothly, you feel more grammar strong. And that shows in writing, speaking, even in school tests or emails. Nobody sees one little mistake, but people do notice when writing feels natural vs. awkward. These worksheets help make writing feel natural.

Have a Look Inside Each Worksheet

Spotting The Essentials
Students read sentences and find the “to be” verbs hiding inside. It trains their eyes to notice am, is, are, was, and were in action. A great starter to build awareness of this important verb.

Table Completion Challenge
Kids match subjects with the correct “to be” form in a chart. It feels like solving a puzzle where everything has to fit perfectly. Great practice for subject-verb agreement.

In The Now
This worksheet focuses on the present tense: am, is, and are. Students practice using them in short, everyday sentences. It’s all about describing what’s happening right now.

Conquering The Past
Here students work with past tense forms: was and were. They’ll practice telling stories about what already happened. It makes past-time writing clearer and more natural.

Tick The Box
Kids choose the correct “to be” form by checking boxes. The format is quick, neat, and satisfying. It helps students build accuracy while keeping things simple.

Participle Practice
Students practice using “being” and “been” correctly. These trickier forms show up in advanced writing. This worksheet builds confidence for when sentences get more complex.

In Three Ways
One idea, three tenses: present, past, and participle. Students compare how “to be” changes depending on time. It’s a handy way to see how tense shifts meaning.

Two Choices, One Blank
Students pick between two possible answers to fill in a blank. The sentences guide them to the right “to be” form. It’s short, focused practice that sharpens accuracy.

Basics Mastery
This worksheet covers the core forms of “to be.” Students use present and past tense in clear, simple sentences. It’s all about locking in the fundamentals.

The Correct Form
Students are given subjects and must supply the right “to be” verb. It’s straightforward but powerful practice. The repetition helps the rule stick.

The Missing Connectors
“To be” acts like glue between subjects and descriptions. Here students fill in missing verbs to make sentences whole. It shows how vital these little words really are.

Visualize The Moment
Kids look at pictures and describe them with “to be” verbs. It connects grammar to real-world scenes. This makes practice feel creative and fun.

Choosing Wisely
Students decide between tricky “to be” choices. Context makes all the difference here. It encourages careful thinking instead of guessing.

Down Memory Lane
This worksheet focuses on using past tense forms. Students write about events that already happened. It’s storytelling with “was” and “were.”

Finish The Thought
Sentences are started, and students complete them using “to be.” This pushes them to create instead of just identify. It helps build fluency in writing.

Read And Identify
Students read short passages and underline all the “to be” verbs. It’s like a grammar scavenger hunt. They see how often these verbs pop up in real text.

Was And Were
This worksheet zeroes in on when to use “was” and when to use “were.” Students practice both in context. It clears up a very common confusion.

Ongoing Expressions
Students learn how “to be” works with continuous or ongoing actions. It introduces forms like “is being” or “were being.” This worksheet bridges simple grammar to more advanced usage.

Retell What’s Done
Here students retell events using past forms of “to be.” It reinforces past-tense storytelling. A great way to connect grammar with narrative writing.

Am, Is, Or Are?
A classic present-tense drill. Students match subjects with am, is, or are. It’s basic but absolutely essential.

Been Vs. Being
Students explore the difference between “been” and “being.” It’s a tricky pair, but practice makes it clear. This worksheet helps avoid common mix-ups.

Take Your Pick
Each blank comes with multiple choices of “to be” verbs. Students select the one that fits. It’s like a multiple-choice game for grammar.

Current Happenings
This worksheet highlights what’s going on right now. Students practice using “is” and “are” in sentences about the present. It makes tense feel natural and clear.

Verb Magic
Kids see how “to be” changes form across tenses and situations. The variety keeps them guessing. It feels like a grammar trick with many answers.

Complete The Sentences
Students add missing “to be” verbs to finish sentences. It reinforces structure and meaning. Without the right verb, nothing makes sense!

Describe The Pictures
Students look at images and write sentences with “to be.” It blends creativity with grammar practice. Visual learners love this approach.

Make A Selection
Students choose the correct verb from options in tricky contexts. It forces them to think carefully about meaning. This helps them catch mistakes before they write them.

The Vibrant Bygones
This worksheet focuses on past tense descriptions. Students write about how things were. It’s grammar practice with a storytelling twist.

The ‘To Be’ Triathlon
Three challenges in one: present, past, and participle. Students race through different forms of “to be.” It’s a workout for grammar skills.

Writing An Ending
Students finish short prompts or stories using forms of “to be.” It pushes them to write creatively while staying grammatically correct. A fun mix of grammar and imagination.

The Verb “To Be” – Simple Guide

The verb “to be” is one of the most common verbs in English. We use it to:

• Show who or what someone is.
• Describe how someone feels.
• Talk about existence.
• Make different tenses.

Forms of “To Be”

Present tense:

• I am
• You are
• He/She/It is
• We are
• They are

Past tense:

• I was
• You were
• He/She/It was
• We were
• They were

How We Use “To Be”

1. Linking Subject to Information

• She is happy.
• John is a doctor.

2. Talking About Identity or Existence

• I am a teacher.
• There is a book on the table.

3. Describing People or Things

• She is smart.
• They were tired.

4. Making Continuous Tenses

Use “to be” + verb-ing:

• He is studying.
• They were playing.

5. Making Passive Voice

Use “to be” + past participle:

• The cake was baked by Mary.

6. Talking About the Future

Use “to be” + “going to” or “will”:

• I am going to visit my grandparents.
• They will be at the party.

Common Mistakes

She are → She is

Don’t confuse they’re (they are) with there.

Use was for singular, were for plural.