Be
Atomic number four
Be is the most fundamental verb in English, expressing existence, identity, or a state of being.
At its core, be links a subject to what it is or how it exists: I am tired, She is a doctor, They were here.
It forms continuous tenses (I am running) and passives (The book was written).
Be can stand alone to assert existence: I think, therefore I am.
In commands, be instructs someone to embody a quality: Be patient, Be yourself.
The be all and end all is the ultimate concern.
The verb conjugates irregularly across am, is, are, was, were, been, and being.
Event in progress
- occurringPresently taking place
- ongoingIn progress now
- continuousWithout pause or gap
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
passive · perfect · tense · conjugation · am · is · are · was
State of being real
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- DaseinHuman existence as lived
Heidegger · Sartre · phenomenology · nothingness · consciousness · presence · substance · becoming
Have actual being
- presenceState of being somewhere
- realityWhat actually exists
- livingCurrently having breath
- aliveHaving current existence
essence · subsist · actuality · ontology · existing · occur · happen · manifest
One's own being
- personHuman individual
- individualOne separate human being
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- natureInherent quality or disposition
soul · true self · authentic · become · identity · essence · persona · who
State or stipulation
- statusOne's relative position
- situationState of affairs
- circumstanceCondition affecting an event
- feelingSensed inner state
happening
Event in progress
- occurringPresently taking place
- ongoingIn progress now
- continuousWithout pause or gap
progressive · passive · perfect · tense · conjugation · am · is · are · was · were
existence
State of being real
- essenceFundamental nature of something
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
Dasein · Heidegger · Sartre · phenomenology · nothingness · consciousness · presence · substance · becoming · reality
exist
Have actual being
alive · essence · subsist · actuality · ontology · existing · occur · happen · manifest · dwell
self
One's own being
- personHuman individual
- individualOne separate human being
- characterNature, symbol, or role
nature · soul · true self · authentic · become · identity · essence · persona · who · oneself
condition
State or stipulation
- statusOne's relative position
- situationState of affairs
- circumstanceCondition affecting an event
feeling · mood · remain · stay · become · appear · seem · grow · turn · keep
situated
Having a position
- locatedFound the position of
- positionedSet in location
- placedPut somewhere specific
found · stand · lie · sit · rest · occupy · dwell · reside · stationed · set