a. Affirmative statements

An affirmative statement states that something is true. In an affirmative statement, the verb follows the subject. e.g. I am awake. They are ready.

In the first example, the verb am follows the subject I. In the second example, the verb are follows the subject they. In written English, statements are always followed by a period. Statements and questions must begin with a capital letter.

b. Questions

For the Simple Present of the verb to be, questions are formed by reversing the order of the subject and the verb, so that the verb precedes the subject. e.g. Am I awake? Are they ready?

In the first example, the verb am precedes the subject I. In the second example, the verb are precedes the subject they. In written English, questions are always followed by a question mark: ?

c. Negative statements

In the Simple Present of the verb to be, negative statements are formed by adding the word not after the verb. e.g. I am not awake. They are not ready.

In the first example, not follows the verb am. In the second example, not follows the verb are.

In spoken English, the following contractions are often used:

d. Negative questions

In the Simple Present of the verb to be, negative questions are formed by reversing the order of the subject and verb, and adding not after the subject. e.g. Am I not awake? Are they not ready?

In spoken English, contractions are usually used in negative questions. In the contracted form of a negative question, the contraction of not follows immediately after the verb. For example: