A1 · Beginner · People · 114 words · ~2 min read

🏡 Meeting a New Neighbour

Language focus: Verb to be · introductions

Before you read

This story runs almost entirely on the verb to be — am, is, are. It is the first verb every English learner meets and also the most irregular one, so read for the forms rather than the plot, and notice how introductions are built.

A new family moves in next door. They are still settling in. Maya hears the doorbell, and a friendly woman is at the door.

“Hello, I am your new neighbour. Let me introduce myself,” she says. “Welcome to the street!” Maya says.

They have a nice chat in the garden. “Can I borrow some sugar?” the woman asks. Maya’s neighbour is very kind.

The woman’s name is Elena and she is from Portugal. She is a nurse, and her husband is a music teacher. They have got two young children.

“We are very happy here,” Elena says. “The street is quiet and the people are friendly.” Maya is glad. Her new neighbours are lovely.

Key vocabulary (8 words)

introduceverb: To tell people your name when you meet them.
friendlyadjective: Kind and easy to talk to.
doorbellnoun: The button that rings to say someone is at the door.
welcomeverb: To greet someone kindly when they arrive.
borrowverb: To take something and give it back later.
chatnoun: A friendly, relaxed conversation.
gardennoun: The green space with plants beside a house.
kindadjective: Caring and good to other people.

Phrasal verbs in this story

settle in — To settle in means to become comfortable in a new home or job.

The grammar in this story

The three forms of to be

I am your new neighbour. She is at the door. They are settling in. English changes the verb completely depending on the subject: am with I, is with he/she/it, are with you/we/they. No other verb in the language behaves like this, which is why it is worth over-learning.

to be for names, jobs and origins

“Her name is Elena.” “She is a nurse.” “She is from Portugal.” In English, jobs and nationalities use be, not have. Note also the article before a job: a nurse, a music teacher — never she is nurse.

Introducing yourself

“Hello, I am your new neighbour. Let me introduce myself.” Let me plus a base verb is a soft, friendly way to announce what you are about to do. The reflexive myself is required here — let me introduce me is wrong.

Borrow and lend point in opposite directions

“Can I borrow some sugar?” You borrow from someone; they lend to you. Maya could answer Of course, I can lend you some. Mixing these two up is one of the most common A1 vocabulary errors.

Phrases you can reuse today

Hello, I am your new neighbour.: A complete, natural introduction in five words.
Nice to meet you.: The standard reply. Note there is no I am at the front.
Can I borrow some sugar?: Borrow is what you do; lend is what they do.
Welcome to the street!: A warm, idiomatic greeting for someone who has just moved in.

Comprehension quiz

Who moves in next door?
- A new family
- A teacher
- A band
Show answer
A new family
What does Maya hear?
- The doorbell
- A train
- Rain
Show answer
The doorbell
“Introduce myself” means…
- say who I am
- run away
- sit down
Show answer
say who I am
Where do they chat?
- In the garden
- On a train
- In a café
Show answer
In the garden
“Settle in” means to…
- get comfortable in a new place
- leave quickly
- fall asleep
Show answer
get comfortable in a new place

Now use it yourself

Reading builds recognition; writing your own sentences is what turns it into something you can actually say. Three short tasks:

Introduce yourself in four sentences using am, is and are.
Describe a neighbour: name, job, country. Use be each time.
Do you know your neighbours well? Answer and give one reason.