How to Use Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Has, Have, and Had Correctly in English Grammar

English grammar can sometimes feel tricky, especially when it comes to knowing the correct meaning of auxiliary verbs like is, am, are, was, were, has, have, and had. These small but powerful words are the backbone of proper sentence formation, helping you express time, possession, ongoing actions, and moods.

This English Grammar guide for beginners will help you master the use of auxiliary verbs with detailed explanations, examples, the difference between the past and present perfect tenses, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips to use them confidently.

Grammar is the foundation upon which any language skill is built, helping to ensure effective communication.

Understanding Auxiliary Verbs In English Grammar

Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs that work alongside main verbs to show tense, mood, voice, or a state of being. Words like is, am, are, was, were, has, have, and had are all auxiliary verbs.

The most common auxiliary verbs include:

• Be-verbs: is, am, are, was, were
• Have-verbs: has, have, had
• Do-verbs: do, does, did
  

B-Verbs, Have-Verbs & Do-Verbs in English Grammar

B-verbs, have-verbs, and do-verbs serve different functions but work together to express tense, mood, possession, and emphasis. Let’s understand!

1. B-Verbs (Be-Verbs)

Definition: B-verbs are forms of the verb “to be” – am, is, are, was, were.
Function: They describe a state of being, existence, or identity and are used to form continuous tenses and the passive voice.
Examples:
She is happy. (state of being)
They are playing football. (present continuous)
The cake was baked by my mother. (past passive)

2. Have-Verbs

Definition: Have-verbs are forms of the verb “to have” – have, has, had.
Function: They express possession or form perfect tenses (actions completed at a certain time).
Examples:
She has a new book. (possession)
I have finished my homework. (present perfect)
We had left before the party started. (past perfect)

3. Do-Verbs

Definition: Do-verbs are forms of the verb “to do” – do, does, did.
Function: They are used to form questions, negatives, and emphatic statements in English.
Examples:
Do you like ice cream? (question)
I do not understand this. (negative)
I did finish my work! (emphasis)

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The Use of Is / Am / Are / Was / Were – Common Auxiliary Verbs

These verbs belong to the be-verb family and are used to describe a state of being, existence, or ongoing actions. They are also key in forming continuous tenses.

Present Forms: Is / Am / Are

• Am – used only with I
• Is – used with he, she, it, or singular nouns
• Are – used with you, we, they, or plural nouns

Examples:

• I am a student.
• She is a doctor.
• They are friends.

Continuous Tense Examples (Ongoing Actions):

• I am studying English.
• They are playing football.

Past Forms: Was / Were

• Was – used with I, he, she, it
• Were – used with you, we, they, or plural nouns

Examples:

• He was late yesterday.
• They were at the park.

Past Continuous Examples (Ongoing Past Actions):

• She was reading when I called.
• They were watching a movie all evening.

The Use of “Has / Have / Had”

Verbs like Has, Have, and Had come from the verb “to have” and are used to express possession or perfect tenses, indicating completed actions.

Present Perfect / Possession: Has / Have

• Has – used with he, she, it
• Have – used with I, you, we, they

Examples of Possession:

• She has a new car.
• We have finished our homework.

Present Perfect Tense Examples:

• She has completed her project.
• We have traveled to many countries.

Past Perfect: Had

• Had – used with all subjects to describe an action completed before another past action

Example:

• They had left before the party started.
  
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Understanding The Use of Auxiliary Verbs at a Glance

Now quickly identify Auxiliary verbs’ roles in English grammar and use them correctly in everyday writing and speech.

Easy Tips On How To Use Is Are Am Was Were

Mastering auxiliary verbs in English grammar can be tricky, but following some simple tips can help you use is, am, are, was, were, has, have, and had correctly and confidently.

• Singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs. Example: He is happy vs They are happy. Remember am is only for I
• Use is/am/are for present, was/were for past, has/have for present perfect, and had for past perfect
  Example: She is reading a book, He was late yesterday,
• Use -ing forms with be-verbs for ongoing actions.
  Example: I am studying, They were playing
• Use auxiliaries in passive voice, focus on the action rather than the subject.
  Example: The cake is baked by my mother, The letters were delivered yesterday
• Use have/has/had + past participle for perfect tenses showing completed actions.
  Example: She has finished homework, They had left before the movie
  

Common Mistakes With Is/Are And Has/Have And Was/Were

Learning these common pitfalls helps you write and speak more accurately and confidently:

• Subject-Verb Mismatch: A very common error is using the wrong auxiliary for the subject. For example, saying “She have a pen” is incorrect. The correct form is “She has a pen.”
• Incorrect Past Form: Learners often confuse was and were, e.g., “I were tired” should be “I was tired.” Remember the subjunctive exception only applies in hypothetical situations: “If I were rich, I would travel the world.”
• Misusing Perfect Tenses: Avoid combining present perfect with specific past time expressions. For example, “I have eaten yesterday” is incorrect; it should be “I ate yesterday.”
• Overusing Continuous Tense: Not every action requires the continuous form. For example, “I am knowing the answer” is incorrect. The correct form is “I know the answer.”
• Ignoring Auxiliary Verbs in Questions and Negatives: Always include auxiliary verbs in questions and negatives for proper grammar. For instance, “She is not coming” and “Are they ready?”
• Confusing Possession and Tense: Sometimes learners confuse “has/have” for possession versus perfect tense. Example: “He has a car” (possession) vs. “He has bought a car” (perfect tense). Understanding context is key.

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to use is, am, are, was, were, has, have, and had is essential for building confident and accurate English sentences. Whether forming continuous or perfect tenses, expressing possession, or framing questions, these small but powerful words shape the clarity of your communication.

Remember, consistent practice and awareness of common mistakes will make the use of Auxiliary verbs second nature. At SunBeam World School, we emphasize strong English fundamentals and encourage students to explore grammar with practical examples and interactive learning, making language mastery both fun and effective.

Master Grammar, Enjoy Learning!

FAQs

• When to use words like is, are, was, were, has, have?

Use is, am, are for present states or actions, was/were for past actions, and has/have for present perfect tense, expressing possession or completed actions in English sentences.

• What type of verb is have has and had?

Have, has, and had are auxiliary verbs that help form perfect tenses and show possession, supporting main verbs in English grammar for clarity, tense, and accurate sentence construction.

• What are the 24 auxiliary verbs in order?

The 24 auxiliary verbs include be-verbs (am, is, are, was, were), have-verbs (have, has, had), do-verbs (do, does, did), and modal verbs (can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought to, dare, need).

• What are the 12 rules of basic grammar?

The 12 basic grammar rules cover subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, punctuation, capitalization, articles, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, sentence structure, and auxiliary verb usage.

• What is the rule for using is or are?

Use is with singular subjects (he, she, it) and are with plural subjects (we, they, you), while am is only used with I, ensuring correct subject-verb agreement in sentences.