The Dangerous Verb ‘to be’: He Lied But He Is Not a Liar

Some uses of the verb ‘to be’ distort reality considerably; they may appear even as socially dangerous or unrewarding at best. Examples such as ‘he is stupid’ and ‘she is a thief’ illustrate such uses. They distort reality. The verb ‘to be’ often suggests stability and permanence when we talk about the world which shows instability, and which constantly changes. The verb ‘to be’ in passive sentences also invites some critical analysis. In some situations, passive sentences deliberately hide the ‘doer’, which may result in significant social consequences. It is not easy in English not to use the verb ‘to be’. Some uses of ‘to be’ may be easier to avoid than others. Avoiding ‘to be’ in some contexts may have positive social consequences.