is
/iːs/
The English phrase 'is' corresponds to the Old English word is.
is is the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb 'to be'. It is used to describe a state or identity for a single subject such as he, she or it.
Which one should you use?
While is is used for third-person singular subjects, the first-person singular is eom and the second-person singular is eart.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, is functions as the third-person singular present indicative of the verb 'to be'.
How do you pronounce it?
/iːs/
Did you know?
- Because is comes from a different root than eom, the Old English verb 'to be' is a linguistic 'Frankenstein's monster' of three different ancestral verbs merged into one.
- Old English had a second verb for 'to be' called wesan, which was used specifically to describe a temporary state or a location rather than a permanent identity.
- The word 'is' shares a deep genetic lineage with the Sanskrit word 'asti', showing how English connects to the most ancient recorded languages.
Examples in context
- The Old English rune poem
ᛁ byþ oferċeald, unġemeted slidor…Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery…This sentence shows the use of is to describe a property of ice. - Þæt is þīn bōc.That is your book.This sentence uses is to identify the ownership of a book.Tatoeba #1360174 by rul, translation #67105 by CK
- Se hund is dēad.The dog is dead.This sentence uses is to describe the state of a dog.Tatoeba #1346715 by RoyalBee, translation #508844 by kebukebu
- Se ealdormon is gōd.The alderman is good.
- Se cniht is swift.The knight is swift.
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mildryth and Eadric are looking at a small animal.
- MildrythHwæt is þis?What is this?
- EadricÞis is lytel caten.This is a little kitten.
- MildrythIs hit ġēong?Is it young?
- EadricĠē, hit is ġēong.Yes, it is young.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry is, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
