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- Dictionarybe/biː/
verb
- 1. exist: "there are no easy answers" Similar
- 2. occur; take place: "the exhibition will be in November" Similar
auxiliary
- 1. used with a present participle to form continuous tenses: "they are coming"
- 2. used with a past participle to form the passive voice: "it was done"
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1. a. : to equal in meaning : have the same connotation as : symbolize. January is the first month. let x be 10. b. : to have identity with : to constitute the same idea or object as.
used to say something about a person, thing, or state, to show a permanent or temporary quality, state, job, etc.: He is rich. It's cold today. I'm Andy. That's all for now. What do you want to be (= what job do you want to do) when you grow up? These books are (= cost) $3 each. Being afraid of the dark, she always slept with the light on.
to occupy a place or position: The book is on the table. to continue or remain as before: Let things be. to belong; attend; befall: May good fortune be with you. (used as a copula to connect the subject with its predicate adjective, or predicate nominative, in order to describe, identify, or amplify the subject): Martha is tall. John is president.
1. auxiliary verb A1. You use be with a present participle to form the continuous tenses of verbs. This is happening in every school throughout the country. [AUX -ing] She didn't always think carefully about what she was doing. [AUX -ing] And, between my two lectures, I will be making a quick trip to Phoenix. [AUX -ing]
To be is to exist, or to take place. As Hamlet best put it: "To be or not to be, that is the question." The verb be is one of the most frequently used words in English, and it often takes the form of am, are, were, or was.
Definition of be verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1. To exist in actuality; have life or reality: I think, therefore I am. 2. a. To occupy a specified position: The food is on the table. b. To remain in a certain state or situation undisturbed, untouched, or unmolested: Let the children be. 3. To take place; occur: The test was yesterday. 4. To go or come: Have you ever been to Italy?
used to show the position of someone or something: It's been in the cupboard for months. She's in the kitchen. it is/it was, etc. used to give a fact or your opinion about something: It's not surprising that she left him. It's a good idea to keep a spare key somewhere safe. be. auxiliary verb.
Verb. Abbreviation. Prefix. Idiom. Filter. verb. To exist in actuality; have life or reality. I think, therefore I am. American Heritage. To exist; live. Caesar is no more. Webster's New World. To occupy a specified position. The food is on the table. American Heritage. To happen or occur. When will the wedding be? Webster's New World.
be. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English be1 /bi; strong biː/ S1 W1 auxiliary verb (past tense was, were, past participle been, present participle being, first person singular am, second person singular and plural are, third person singular is) 1 used with a present participle to form the continuous (4) tenses of verbs Don’t ...
