=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I be, 1. (If) we be,
2. (If) thou be, 2. (If) you be,
3. (If) he be. 3. (If) they be
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I were, 1. (If) we were,
2. (If) thou wert, 2. (If) you were,
3. (If) he were. 3. (If) they were.
=Imperative Mode.= =Infinitives.= =Participles.=
Be (thou or you). (To) be. IMPERFECT—Being.
Being. PERFECT—Been.
1. The verb _to be_ is used as an auxiliary with the perfect participle
of a transitive verb, to form the _passive voice_; as, I _am hurt_.
2. The verb _to be_ is used as an auxiliary with the present participle
of a verb, to form the _progressive form_; as, I _am writing_.
3. The verb _to be_, without the participle of another verb, is used to
express (1) _existence_; as, Whatever _is_, is right. (2) To act as a
_copula_ (connecting word); as, Sugar _is_ sweet. Whatever is, _is_
right.