is
is
Pronunciation
Is
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /ɪz/ (stressed) or /z/ (unstressed, as a contraction or weak form)
Syllable 1: /ɪz/
/ɪ/ as in "sit" (short high front unrounded vowel)
/z/ as in "zoo" (voiced alveolar fricative)
Word Form Variations
“Is" is a form of the irregular verb "to be." It has very specific grammatical functions and does not vary in the same way regular nouns or verbs do.
Verb (form of 'to be'):
Present Tense, Third-Person Singular: is
Other forms of "to be" include: am, are, was, were, been, being.
Contraction: 's (e.g., "he's," "it's")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb (form of 'to be')
To exist or be present; indicating the existence or occurrence of something.
Synonyms: exists, occurs, happens, remains, lives
Antonyms: ceases to exist, vanishes, disappears, is absent
To establish identity or equivalence; used to link the subject of a sentence with a predicate noun or pronoun that renames or identifies it.
Synonyms: equals, represents, signifies, denotes, identifies as
Antonyms: differs from, is not, misrepresents
To describe a quality, characteristic, or condition of the subject; used to link the subject with a predicate adjective or adjective phrase.
Synonyms: seems, appears, feels (when describing state), embodies
Antonyms: lacks, is devoid of, is unlike
Used as an auxiliary verb to form the present continuous (progressive) tense (e.g., "He is running") or the passive voice (e.g., "It is done").
Synonyms: (As an auxiliary, it doesn't have direct synonyms that maintain the grammatical structure; its function is purely grammatical.)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as an auxiliary verb.)
Indicating belonging or possession; used to show that something is part of a larger group or owned by someone.
Synonyms: belongs to, pertains to, is part of, is owned by
Antonyms: does not belong to, is separate from, is not owned by
Examples of Use
Books:
"To be or not to be, that is the question." (From Hamlet by William Shakespeare)
"The cat is on the mat." (A common foundational sentence in English language learning)
"Love is a many-splendored thing." (Often used proverbially, adapted from a film title or song)
Newspapers:
"Inflation is currently a major concern for economists worldwide." (From a financial news report, generic example)
"The new community center is expected to open its doors next month." (From a local news story, generic example)
Online Publications:
"This is why your productivity is dropping, and how to fix it." (From a self-help blog, e.g., Lifehack.com)
"ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI." (From an AI news site or Wikipedia, e.g., OpenAI.com)
"The latest trend is minimalist living, and here's how to embrace it." (From a lifestyle website, e.g., Apartment Therapy)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." (From Forrest Gump)
Television Series: "Winter is coming." (From Game of Thrones)
Music (Song Lyrics): "What is love? Baby, don't hurt me, don't hurt me no more." (From "What Is Love" by Haddaway)
Video Games: "Your mission is to save the princess." (In-game objective or tutorial, generic example, e.g., Super Mario Bros.)
Podcasts: "Our guest today is a leading expert in sustainable energy." (From a podcast host's introduction, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"The sky is blue." (Simple declarative statement)
"What time is it?" (Common question)
"My favorite color is green." (Common personal preference)
"He is very talented at playing the guitar." (Common descriptive statement)
"It is what it is." (Common idiom expressing acceptance of a situation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Is
"To be or not to be, that is the question." - William Shakespeare (Hamlet)
"What is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (The Little Prince)
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Knowledge is power." - Francis Bacon (Attributed)
"Love is a serious mental disease." - Plato (Attributed)
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
"This is my command: Love each other." - Jesus Christ (John 15:12, Bible)
"Hell is other people." - Jean-Paul Sartre (No Exit)
"All that is gold does not glitter, / Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." - Oscar Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest)
Etymology
The word "is" is one of the most fundamental and ancient words in the English language, tracing its roots back to the very origins of the Indo-European language family. It's part of the verb "to be," which is highly irregular because it pulls forms from several different ancient roots.
Specifically, "is" comes from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *h₁es- (a reconstructed word, meaning linguists infer it existed based on its descendants). This root simply meant "to be" or "to exist."
From PIE, this root evolved into Proto-Germanic as *istaz or *isan.
Finally, it made its way into Old English (the earliest form of the English language, spoken before 1150 AD) as "is."
So, the first known use and meaning of "is" in English (or its direct Old English predecessor) was exactly what it is today: the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "to be," indicating existence, identity, or a state of being. It has consistently served this core function for well over a thousand years, making it one of the most stable and enduring words in the English lexicon.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Is
It is what it is: An expression of acceptance of an unchangeable situation.
The proof is in the pudding: The true value or quality of something can only be judged when it is put to the test.
What is done is done: One cannot change past events.
As luck would have it: Coincidentally; by chance. (Implies what is the case due to luck)
The bottom line is: The most important fact or main point.
Such is life: That's just how life is; expressing resigned acceptance.
The long and short of it is: The summary or main point of a complicated matter.
That is to say: In other words; to explain further.
Seeing is believing: One must see something to accept it as true.
Truth be told: To speak honestly. (Implies what is true)
A matter of fact: Something that is true and not debatable. (Uses "fact" which "is" true)
The essence resides: The core nature exists. (Original phrase, using synonyms for "is")
It stands to reason: It is logical or evident. (Implies what is reasonable)
Such an existence: Referring to a specific mode of being. (Original phrase, using "existence" as a form of "is")
The reality obtains: The truth prevails. (Original phrase, using a synonym for "is")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of is from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
