です (to be) · Japanese verb conjugation

Conjugation

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now, habits, and what is to come

Form	Polite	Plain
Affirmativeit is
Negativeit is not

finished actions

Form	Polite	Plain
Affirmativeit was
Negativeit was not

て形 · joining actions, “doing”, requests

意向形 · “let’s”, “I’ll”

Form	Polite	Plain
Probablyit probably is

条件形 · “if” and “when”

One sentence for each tense, the way people say it.

Present and future

ベンさんはカナダじんですか。

Are you Canadian, Ben?
Past

まえのしごとはぎんこういん でした。

In my last job I was a bank clerk.
Te-form

ちちはいしゃで、はははせんせいです。

My father is a doctor and my mother is a teacher.
Potential

ここはしずかで、ゆっくりはなせます。

It's quiet here, so we can talk in peace.
Want to

いつまでもげんきでいたいです。

I want to stay healthy for ever.
Volitional

あしたはたぶんあめ でしょう。

It will probably rain tomorrow.
Conditional

にほんりょうりなら、なんでもすきです。

If it's Japanese food, I like everything.
Commands and requests

しんぱいしないで。だいじょうぶだよ。

Don't worry. It's fine.
Passive and causative

このみせはあさくさでいちばんだといわれています。

This shop is said to be the best in Asakusa.

です is polite; between friends and family it is だ, and the negative is じゃありません or じゃない.
です has no potential, imperative or passive of its own, so those sentences show it beside another verb.