Use of " is" in English Grammar - english.onlineeducoach.com

What is “is” in grammar?

“Is” is a helping verb (also called a linking verb) used in the present tense.

It connects the subject of the sentence with a word that tells more about the subject – like a feeling, action, or description.

🧠 When Do We Use “Is”?

We use “is” with:

He
She
It
Singular nouns (like “Ravi”, “the dog”, “a pen”, “my bag”)

✅ Sentence Structure

Subject + is + rest of the sentence

Subject	Verb (“is”)	Example Sentence
He	is	He is happy.
She	is	She is dancing.
It	is	It is cold today.
Ravi	is	Ravi is in class.
The cat	is	The cat is sleeping.

🧩 How to Study & Remember “Is”?

🎯 Tip 1: Remember the Subjects

Only use “is” with:

He, She, It
Any one person or one thing (singular)

Wrong: They is playing ❌
Right: They are playing ✅

🎯 Tip 2: Use Real-Life Examples

Look around your home or school and make sentences:

The fan is fast.
My brother is tall.
It is raining.

Repeat them daily – this will make usage automatic!

📝 Practice Series: Mastering “Is”

Here’s a step-by-step practice routine you can follow or give to students:

🔹 Day 1: Spot the Subjects

Match the correct subject with “is”

___ is a girl. → (He / She)
___ is my friend. → (Ravi / They)
___ is a cat. → (It / We)
___ is watching TV. → (She / I)

🔹 Day 2: Fill in the Blanks

Use “is” in the blanks:

He ___ my uncle.
The dog ___ barking.
My phone ___ on the table.
It ___ blue in color.
Riya ___ at the door.

🔹 Day 3: Make Sentences

Use “is” to make short sentences from these words:

She / reading
It / broken
Rahul / tired
The pencil / sharp
The bus / late

🔹 Day 4: Identify the Mistake

Find the wrong sentence and correct it:

She is cooking. ✅
They is going to school. ❌
It is very hot. ✅
I is your friend. ❌

🔹 Day 5: Speak 5 Sentences

Stand in front of a mirror and speak 5 sentences using “is”:

Start with things around you: “This is my book.”
Talk about people: “He is my brother.”
Talk about the weather: “It is sunny.”

🔹 Day 6: Write a Mini Paragraph

Write 4–5 lines using “is”. Example:

My name is Rani. I have a cat. It is very cute. She is white. Her name is Snowy. She is sleeping now.

🔹 Day 7: Fun Activity – “Is or Are?” Game

Create two columns: IS and ARE. Now sort sentences correctly.

Example:

He is reading. → IS
They are ready. → ARE
The chair is broken. → IS
My parents are at home. → ARE

🌈 Summary Chart for Students

Subject	Use “is”?
He	✅
She	✅
It	✅
Ravi	✅
They	❌ (use are)
I	❌ (use am)
We	❌ (use are)
You	❌ (use are)

🌟 Quiz Title: Can You Use “Is” Correctly?

🔸 Part 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. He ___ a good boy.
a) are
b) is
c) am
✅ Correct Answer: b) is

2. The bag ___ heavy.
a) is
b) are
c) was
✅ Correct Answer: a) is

3. It ___ very cold today.
a) am
b) is
c) are
✅ Correct Answer: b) is

4. My mother ___ in the kitchen.
a) is
b) are
c) were
✅ Correct Answer: a) is

5. Rani and I ___ best friends.
a) is
b) am
c) are
✅ Correct Answer: c) are

🔸 Part 2: Choose the Correct Sentence

6.
a) She is my friend. ✅
b) She are my friend. ❌

7.
a) They is going to school. ❌
b) They are going to school. ✅

8.
a) The dog is barking. ✅
b) The dog are barking. ❌

🔸 Part 3: Make Sentences

(Short answer section – students write their own sentences)

9. Write a sentence using “He is…”
👉 (Example Answer: He is watching TV.)

10. Write a sentence using “It is…”
👉 (Example Answer: It is a sunny day.)

✅ Scoring Guide

0–4 correct: 🔍 You’re a learner! Time to review again.
5–7 correct: 👍 Good job! You’re getting it.
8–10 correct: 🌟 Excellent! You’re a grammar star!

Now its time to practice the use of “is ” . kindly give answers to the following practice series :

Questions 1–50

She ___ my sister.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The book ___ on the table.
a) are
b) is
c) were
My cat ___ sleeping.
a) is
b) are
c) am
This ___ my pen.
a) are
b) is
c) were
He ___ a good boy.
a) is
b) are
c) were
It ___ very hot today.
a) are
b) is
c) am
This dress ___ beautiful.
a) are
b) is
c) am
There ___ a big house near the lake.
a) is
b) are
c) was
That ___ your bag.
a) are
b) is
c) am
This ___ not my pencil.
a) are
b) is
c) was
The sun ___ bright.
a) is
b) are
c) were
A lion ___ a wild animal.
a) are
b) is
c) am
This ___ easy.
a) is
b) are
c) was
The child ___ happy.
a) are
b) is
c) were
My phone ___ on the bed.
a) is
b) are
c) am
The flower ___ red.
a) are
b) is
c) was
The room ___ clean.
a) is
b) are
c) am
A rabbit ___ fast.
a) are
b) is
c) were
This chair ___ broken.
a) is
b) are
c) am
The bird ___ singing.
a) are
b) is
c) were
That man ___ my teacher.
a) are
b) is
c) am
Her dress ___ new.
a) is
b) are
c) was
The road ___ long.
a) are
b) is
c) am
This ___ my favorite song.
a) are
b) is
c) were
My brother ___ tall.
a) are
b) is
c) was
The sky ___ blue.
a) is
b) are
c) were
This story ___ interesting.
a) are
b) is
c) was
That dress ___ expensive.
a) is
b) are
c) was
His name ___ John.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The car ___ parked outside.
a) is
b) are
c) am
The pen ___ blue.
a) are
b) is
c) was
Your answer ___ correct.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The movie ___ boring.
a) is
b) are
c) were
This fruit ___ sweet.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The teacher ___ in the classroom.
a) is
b) are
c) was
That boy ___ playing.
a) are
b) is
c) were
The game ___ fun.
a) is
b) are
c) am
My friend ___ not here.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The baby ___ crying.
a) is
b) are
c) were
This room ___ big.
a) are
b) is
c) was
The light ___ on.
a) is
b) are
c) was
The bus ___ late.
a) are
b) is
c) were
This ___ my house.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The apple ___ red.
a) are
b) is
c) am
My dog ___ cute.
a) is
b) are
c) were
That picture ___ nice.
a) is
b) are
c) was
My mother ___ in the kitchen.
a) are
b) is
c) am
The boy ___ smart.
a) is
b) are
c) were
The room ___ dark.
a) is
b) are
c) am
The cup ___ empty.
a) is
b) are
c) was

Answer Key (1–50):