What will you learn?
This lesson will teach you how to correctly use subject pronouns (like 'I', 'he', 'they') and the verb 'to be' ('am', 'is', 'are') to state and ask for someone's age in English. A common mistake for Spanish speakers is using the verb 'to have' (*tener*), but in English, we always use 'to be'. Let's see how it works!
Interactive Combiner
Click on a pronoun to see how it combines with the verb "to be".
Select a pronoun above to begin.
Sentence Structures
Affirmative (+)
Used to state someone's age.
Pronoun + am/is/are + Age
Example: She is 10 years old.
Example: We are 21.
Negative (-)
Used to state an age someone is not.
Pronoun + am/is/are + not + Age
Example: I am not 18.
Contraction: They aren't 12 years old.
Interrogative (?)
Used to ask someone's age.
Am/Is/Are + Pronoun + ...?
Example: Are you 30 years old?
Question: How old is she?
Practice Quiz
Quiz Complete!
Your score:
Key Rules to Remember
Never Use "To Have"
The biggest rule! Always use the verb "to be" for age. Using "to have" is a direct translation from Spanish and is incorrect in English.
I have 25 years old.
Always Use "To Be"
This is the correct way to express age. Remember the combinations: I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, they are.
I am 25 years old.
"Years Old" is Optional
You can include or omit "years old" at the end of the sentence. Both ways are perfectly correct and commonly used.
He is 50.
He is 50 years old.