Knowing how to ask and answer about age is one of the first skills you need when learning English. This lesson covers the essential question How old are you? along with the correct use of the verb to be for every subject pronoun, so you can talk about anyone's age with confidence.
How do you ask and answer about age in English?
The basic question is simple: How old are you? [0:05]. The answer follows a clear pattern using the verb to be plus a number and years old.
- I am 33 years old.
- He is 18 years old.
- She is two years old.
- It is five years old.
- They are 29 years old.
- You are (+ age).
- We are (+ age).
Notice that the verb changes depending on the subject pronoun. This is a key grammar point: am goes with I, is goes with he / she / it, and are goes with they / you / we [0:18].
What structures do you need for each pronoun?
When you want to ask about a third person or an object, simply adjust the question:
- How old is he? — He is seven years old [0:42].
- How old is she? — She is 20 years old [0:48].
- How old is it? — It is 30 years old [0:54]. You can use it for objects like a telephone or any non-living thing.
- How old are they? — They are 12 years old [1:01].
The pattern never changes: subject + am / is / are + number + years old. Memorizing which form of the verb matches each pronoun will help you answer correctly every time.
How can you practice choosing the right verb?
A quick drill reinforces the rule. Read the subject, pick am, is, or are, and complete the sentence [1:08].
- She ___ 13 years old → She is 13 years old.
- They ___ eight years old → They are eight years old.
- We ___ 33 years old → We are 33 years old.
If you hesitate, remember the grouping: I → am, he/she/it → is, you/we/they → are. Practice saying the full sentences out loud to build fluency.
Try creating your own sentences about family members, friends, or even pets and everyday objects. The more you repeat the structure, the more natural it will feel. Share your examples and keep practicing!
