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Use of Be, Being and Been

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1. “BE” – Base Form
Meaning: "Be" is the base form of the verb.
We use “be” with modal verbs (can, could, may, might, should, etc.) or in imperatives (commands).
Used in:
  • Modal + Be
  • To form passive voice
  • Commands or instructions
Examples:
  • You should be careful. (advice with modal verb — Present/Future)
  • I want to be a doctor. (base form used after "want to")
  • Please be quiet. (imperative sentence/command)
  • He might be late. (possibility using a modal verb)
  • She must be at school. (certainty using a modal verb)
2. “BEING” – Present Participle
Meaning: "Being" is the -ing form of “be”.
We use “being” to describe an ongoing state or temporary action, often in passive voice or with continuous tenses.
(Active Voice = The subject does the work.
Example: The chef cooks the food.
Passive Voice = The work is done to the subject.
Example: The food is cooked by the chef.)
Used in:
  • Present/Past Continuous Passive
  • Describing behavior or temporary state
Examples:
  • He is being rude today. (temporary behavior — Present Continuous)
  • The cake is being made. (present continuous passive)
  • She was being honest. (past continuous passive)
  • The students are being taught grammar. (present passive continuous)
3. “BEEN” – Past Participle
Meaning: "Been" is the past participle of “be”.
We use “been” in perfect tenses, mostly with have/has/had, to describe an action that has already happened or a completed state.
Used in:
  • Present Perfect (have/has been)
  • Past Perfect (had been)
  • To express visits, jobs, or completed conditions
Examples:
  • She has been to Delhi. (experience — Present Perfect)
  • I have been tired all day. (state — Present Perfect)
  • He had been my friend for years. (past relationship — Past Perfect)
  • They have been studying since morning. (action — Present Perfect Continuous)
  • We have been busy lately. (completed state — Present Perfect)

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Irregular Verbs (Base form → Past form) These verbs do NOT follow the regular -ed rule. Go → Went – to move Come → Came – to arrive Eat → Ate – to consume food Drink → Drank – to have liquid Take → Took – to pick Give → Gave – to offer See → Saw – to look Do → Did – to act Write → Wrote – to make letters Read → Read – to understand written text Make → Made – to create Say → Said – to speak Buy → Bought – to purchase Bring → Brought – to carry Sing → Sang – to produce music voice Swim → Swam – to move in water Drive → Drove – to operate vehicle Begin → Began – to start Run → Ran – to move fast Sleep → Slept – to rest Feel → Felt – to sense Find → Found – to discover Forget → Forgot – to not remember Get → Got – to receive Have → Had – to possess Hold → Held – to keep in hands Keep → Kept – to store Know → Knew – to understand Leave → Left – to go away Lose → Lost – to misplace Meet → Met – to see someone Pay → Paid – to give money Ride → Rode – to sit and travel Sell → Sold – to exchang...
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About Me

Ashish Pithadiya
Hello! I am pleased to introduce myself (Ashish Pithadiya) as a lecturer at PNR Shah Mahila Arts and Commerce College, Palitana. I hold a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in English Literature, which makes me well-equipped to guide and mentor students in this subject area. As a visiting faculty member, I am committed to providing a stimulating and engaging learning experience for my students. I believe that literature has the power to transform individuals and society, and I am passionate about sharing this belief with my students. I strive to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions.