Present Sentences Without Is

Level 1

A present sentence can link a person or thing to a noun, adjective or place phrase without a verb corresponding to am, is or are.

How It Works

Build a Present Sentence

Put the subject together with its description: אני עייפה, I am tired, or דנה בבית, Dana is at home. These are complete present sentences. Do not insert היה: that form means was.

When a Pronoun Helps

A linking הוא, היא, הם or הן may appear, especially between noun phrases: דנה היא המורה. It helps make the relationship clear. Such a pronoun is not required in every short adjective or location sentence.

Phrase or Statement?

הספר החדש names the new book. הספר חדש says the book is new. The describing adjective in this predicate does not take the article simply because its subject is definite. Past and future statements use forms of היה and יהיה instead.

Examples (4)

  1. אני תלמידה.

    I am a student.

    The speaker is female; no present is is inserted.

  2. הספר חדש.

    The book is new.

    חדש is the predicate.

  3. דנה בבית.

    Dana is at home.

    The location phrase completes the sentence.

  4. דנה היא המורה.

    Dana is the teacher.

    היא links two noun phrases.

Common Mistakes

  • Using past היה for a present statement.

    אני הייתי עייפה עכשיו.
    אני עייפה עכשיו.

    For the intended current state, use the present predicate; הייתי would put the tiredness in the past.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Present Sentences Without IsLevel 1

Learn This First

Combine a subject and description without inventing a present-tense be verb.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.