Verb to be – Interrogative

To form a question using the verb “to be,” you generally invert the subject and the verb. Here is the basic structure:

Question word (if applicable) + Verb “to be” + Subject + Complement (if applicable)

For example:

• Is she a student?
• Are they coming to the party?
• Am I late for the meeting?
• Is it raining outside?
• Are we ready to go?
• Was he at the concert?
• Were they happy with the result?
• Was it a good movie?
• Are you ready for the exam?
• Is she your sister?

Here’s a dialogue that focuses on using the interrogative form of the verb “to be”:

Student 1: Hi, my name is Alex. What’s your name?

Student 2: Hello, Alex. I’m Emily. Nice to meet you.

Student 1: Nice to meet you too, Emily. Are you a student?

Student 2: Yes, I am. I’m a psychology student. What about you?

Student 1: I’m a student too. I study business. Is your friend Jenny a student as well?

Student 2: No, she’s not. She’s a nurse.

Student 1: Oh, I see. Where is she from?

Student 2: She’s from San Francisco. How about your friend Mark?

Student 1: Mark is from Chicago, but he lives here now. Is he in your psychology class?

Student 2: No, he’s not in my class. He studies computer science. Are your parents in the same city?

Student 1: Yes, they are. They live here in Boston. What about yours?

Student 2: My parents are in New York. They’re really supportive of my studies.