be

symbol

1
As an auxiliary verb: Used with past participles of verbs to form the passive voice.
The dog was saved by the boy.
The woman is walking.
I shall be writing to you soon.
2
Used with past participles of verbs to form the passive voice.
The dog was saved by the boy.
3
Used with present participles of verbs to form the continuous aspect.
The woman is walking.
I shall be writing to you soon.
We liked to chat while we were eating.
4
Used with to-infinitives of verbs to express intent, obligation, appropriateness, or relative future occurrence.
I am to leave tomorrow.
They are to stay here until I return.
I'd been to've been ambassador, but fell seriously ill.
5
Used with past participles of certain intransitive verbs to form the perfect aspect.
He is finished.
He is gone.
He is come.
6
To tend to do, often do; marks the habitual aspect.
7
As a copulative verb: To exist.
There is just one woman in town who can help us.
It is just one woman in town who can help us.
Hi, I’m Jim.
8
To exist.
There is just one woman in town who can help us.
It is just one woman in town who can help us.
9
Used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent.
Hi, I’m Jim.
3 times 5 is fifteen.
These four are the ones going to the quarter-finals.
10
Used to indicate that a predicate nominal applies to the subject.
Rex is a dog.
A dog is an animal.
Dogs are animals.
11
Used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective or prepositional phrase.
The sky is blue.

Also useful for “be”:Unscrambler— Turn loose letters into real words