Our everyday speech is filled with lots of tiny words we may not even notice. “Is” is one we probably use the most without thinking much about it. It’s incredibly useful, but do you know what part of speech “is” is?
There are eight basic parts of speech in the English language: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and articles. The word “is” falls squarely into the verb category, as it’s a conjugation of the verb “to be.” The reason why “is” is so common is because “be” is the most popular verb. The verb “be” is the second-most-used word in English — right after “the.”
Regular vs. Irregular Verbs
The word “be” is an irregular verb. Regular verbs keep the same basic form when conjugating the verb. Consider the verb “to walk.”
I walked to the mall.
You walk to the mall.
She walks to the mall.
But “be” is different. It’s an irregular verb because it changes significantly depending on the tense. In fact, it becomes an entirely different word when paired with other subjects. Check it out:
I am going to the mall.
You are going to the mall.
She is going to the mall.
The word “is” is the third-person singular form of “be.” It’s typically used with the pronouns “she,” “he,” or “it.” It’s almost never paired with plural subjects.
“Is” as a Linking Verb
Verbs are commonly thought of as action words, such as “walk,” “run,” “jump,” or “drive.” But “is” doesn’t pack in a lot of action. “To be” expresses a state of being. Something just exists — it simply is. As such, it’s typically used as a linking verb in sentences.
Linking verbs don’t describe an action, but they build a bridge between the sentence's subject and the predicate. They can link a subject to another noun, adjective, or longer clause. In these sentences, the word “is” serves as a connection between the subject of the sentence and the additional information that follows:
Mona is my cousin.
Your dress is beautiful.
She is 18 years old.
Interestingly, some languages, including Russian and Mandarin Chinese, don’t use linking verbs, or only use them in certain situations.
“Is” as an Auxiliary Verb
In addition to serving as a linking verb, “is” sometimes acts as an auxiliary verb. These types of verbs are helpers that lend support to the main verb in the sentence:
It is going to rain on Saturday.
Mom is buying a cake for the party.
He is driving the boat.
In each of these sentences, “is” is not the main verb, but it lends support to the main verbs: “going,” “buying,” and “driving.” An auxiliary verb can add meaning to the sentence, clarify the tense, or shape the mood of the writing. However, it can tip your sentences into the passive voice. Removing the word “is” and reworking the main verb can bring your sentences into an unmistakably active voice.
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