be

[[t]bi[/t]] unstressed [[t]bi, bɪ[/t]]

v. and auxiliary v., pres. sing. 1st pers. am, 2nd are, 3rdis, pres. pl. are; past sing. 1st pers. was, 2ndwere, 3rdwas, past pl. were; pres. subj. be; past subj. sing. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pers. were; past subj. pl. were; past part. been; pres. part. be•ing.

1) to exist or live:

Shakespeare's “To be or not to be” is the ultimate question[/ex]

2) to take place; occur:

The wedding was last week[/ex]

3) to occupy a place or position:

The book is on the table[/ex]

4) to continue or remain as before:

Let things be[/ex]

5) to belong; attend; befall:

May good fortune be with you[/ex]

6) (used as a copula to connect the subject with its predicate adjective, or predicate nominative, in order to describe, identify, or amplify the subject):

He is tall. She is president[/ex]

7) (used as a copula to introduce or form interrogative or imperative sentences):

Is that right? Be quiet![/ex]

8) fun (used with the present participle of another verb to form progressive tenses):

I am waiting. We were talking[/ex]

9) fun (used with the infinitive of the principal verb to indicate a command, arrangements, or future action):

He is to see me today. You are not to leave before six[/ex]

10) fun (used with the past participle of another verb to form the passive voice):

The date was fixed[/ex]

11) fun (used in archaic or literary constructions with some intransitive verbs to form perfect tenses):

He is come[/ex]

•

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE bēon; akin to OFris, OHG bim (I) am, L fuī (I) have been, Gk phýein to grow, become usage: See me