1） be +现在分词,构成进行时态,例如：
They are having a meeting.他们正在开会.
2) be + 过去分词,构成被动语态,例如：
The window was broken by Tom..窗户是汤姆打碎的.
3） be + 动词不定式,可表示下列内容：
a.表示最近、未来的计划或安排,例如：
He is to go to New York next week..他下周要去纽约.
说明：这种用法也可以说成是一种将来时态表达法.
b.表示命令,例如：
You are to explain this.对此你要做出解释.
c.征求意见,例如：
How am I to answer him?我该怎样答复他?
d.表示相约、商定,例如：
We are to meet at the school gate at seven tomorrow morning.我们明天早晨7点在校门口集合.
英语的“be”是个特别动词；有些语言,如中文和马来文,并没有“be”这样的动词.
“Be”除了原形的“be”之外,还有另外七种形式：am,is,are,been,being,was,were.
在句子中,“be”可以是主动词(The Principal Verb)或助动词(The Auxiliary Verb).
当主动词时,“be”在性质上属于接系动词(The Linking Verb),后面要有名词、形容词、地方副词或短语作补足语(The Complement).例如：
1.The man is a science teacher.
2.Mary's new dresses are colourful.
3.I have been there before.
4.Mother is in the kitchen now.
这四个都是陈述句,可以变成疑问句,方法简单,把主语和“be”或助动词对换位置即可：
5.Is the man a science teacher?
6.Are Mary's new dresses colourful?
7.Have I been there before?
8.Is mother in the kitchen now?
当“be”要在祈使句中出现时,它必须借重助动词“do”或“don't”之助,如：
9.Don't be silly!
10.Do be obedient!
11.Don't be a fool!
“Be”有两种缩写法,如下：
12.He's not./He isn't.
13.You're not./You aren't...
但“am + not”的缩写法只有一个：
14.I'm not.
有人用“ain't”,但这并不是标准英语.
谈过了“be”作主动词的功能,现在看看“be”作助动词时,有些什么用法：
1.“Be + 现在分词”以组成进行式时态(Continuous Tenses),如：
15.Tony's maid is washing his new car.
16.The children are playing in the field.
17.Samuel was eating when I came in.
18.We have been living here since 1959.
2.“Be + 过去分词”以组成被动语态(The Passive Voice),如：
19.Her money in the drawer was stolen.
20.A number of good jobs are taken up byforeigners.
21.David studied in Taiwan but has been trained as a language lecturer in America.
22.Can all the wonderful birds be found in our Bird Park?
23.The disobedient boy was told to stand out- side the classroom.
24.Steps are being taken to reduce traffic con- gestion during peak hours.
25.Dishonest students will be immediately dealt with.
从上面例子看,“be”这动词外貌平凡,但内涵丰厚.如果没有“be”,补足语的桥梁断了.如果没有“be”,何来进行式时态和被动语态?缺了这几样重要的句式,英语还像英语吗?