Keyword: am-is-are
Grammatical Overview
Am / Is / Are are the present indicative forms of be. They function as copular verbs linking subjects to complements (she is a doctor, they are tired), primary auxiliary verbs driving continuous aspect (is working) and passive structures (is made), existential anchors (there is / are), and drivers of formal arrangement patterns (you are to report).
🗺️ Pattern Map (Colligation & Grammar)
Pattern 1: am / is / are + -ing (Present Continuous Frame)
- Structure:
Subject + am / is / are + Verb-ing - Meaning: Expresses an action currently in progress or a planned future arrangement.
- Examples:
- She is working on a new project this week.
- They are flying to Montreal tomorrow morning.
Pattern 2: there + is / are (Existential Frame)
- Structure:
There + is + [Singular/Uncountable Noun]ORThere + are + [Plural Noun] - Meaning: Introduces the presence or existence of people, things, or facts in a situation.
- Examples:
-
- There is a lot of traffic on the highway today.*
-
- There are several options available to us.*
-
Pattern 3: am / is / are + to-Infinitive (Formal Obligation / Arrangement)
- Structure:
Subject + am / is / are + to + Base Verb - Meaning: Formal structure used in instructions, rules, or scheduled future events.
- Examples:
- You are to submit the report by Friday afternoon.
- The President is to visit Ottawa next month.
🧩 Key Lexical Chunks (Collocations & Idioms)
Spoken & Written Formulaic Units
- as far as I'm concerned: In my personal opinion / from my point of view.
- there is no point (in doing something): It is useless or worthless to do something.
- is / are supposed to: Expected or required to do something according to rules or plans.
- that's that: The matter is settled / finished.
🎴 Interactive Web Practice (10 Questions)
Practice 1: She ______ currently working from home today.
Answer:
is
Practice 2: There ______ many reasons to consider this offer.
Answer:
are
Practice 3: As far as I'm ______ , the discussion is finished.
Answer:
concerned
Practice 4: There is no point ______ worrying about things you cannot change.
Answer:
in (or leave blank; in is optional)
Practice 5: We are supposed ______ at the venue by 9 AM.
Answer:
to be
Practice 6: All students ______ to remain seated until the exam papers are collected.
Answer:
are
Practice 7: What ______ you planning to do after graduation?
Answer:
are
Practice 8: There ______ a lot of water on the kitchen floor.
Answer:
is
Practice 9: I ______ writing to inquire about the position posted online.
Answer:
am
Practice 10: It is getting late and there ______ no time left to complete the test.
Answer:
is
🔗 Related Patterns & Chunks
- 🗺️ Pattern: be-ing — Progressive aspect complement structures (is doing / are working)
- 🗺️ Pattern: there-is-are — Existential locator frames (there is / there are)
- 🧩 Chunk: as-far-as-im-concerned — Personal viewpoint discourse marker
- 🧩 Chunk: there-is-no-point — Futility formulaic expression