be + adverb + be

Learners sometimes write two forms of the verb be with an adverb between them (for example, "is really is delicious"). The extra be is almost always a duplicated copula: remove it or rewrite the sentence so one verb carries the meaning.

Below: a compact rule, clear corrections you can copy, rewrite patterns for trickier cases, and related pitfalls to watch for.

Quick fix

Delete the duplicated be. Use one copula, then the adverb, then the complement: "is really delicious", not "is really is delicious."

Wrong pattern: be + adverb + be (e.g., is really is late)
Correct pattern: be + adverb + complement (e.g., is really late)
Two be forms are acceptable only when they belong to different clauses (e.g., "I think he is, and he is wrong").

Core explanation: what's happening and why it fails

The verb be (is/am/are/was/were) is a linking verb that sets the subject's state. A second be inside the same clause is redundant and usually a slip from speech or editing.

If you find two be forms, decide whether they belong to separate clauses. If not, drop the extra be or choose a different verb.

One be per clause: keep one copula before the adverb and complement.
Adverbs such as really, always, never typically follow the copula, not another copula.
If removing the second be alters meaning, rewrite rather than keep two be forms.

Quick grammar rules (practical checklist)

Run this micro-check whenever you spot be + adverb in a sentence.

Rule 1: Remove any extra be within the same clause - keep: be + adverb + complement.
Rule 2: If you meant two clauses, add punctuation or a conjunction: "She is, and she is wrong."
Rule 3: For emphasis or tone, use a stronger verb (seem/appear), reposition the adverb, or use a modifier (very, really) - don't repeat be.

Real usage: examples for work, school and casual writing

Common sentences that often show the double-be error, each fixed and sometimes rewritten for clarity.

Work - wrong: The meeting was briefly was postponed.
right: The meeting was briefly postponed.
rewrite: The meeting was postponed for a short time.
Work - wrong: Our report is usually is ready by Friday.
right: Our report is usually ready by Friday. usage: She is always on top of project deadlines.
School - wrong: The experiment was sometimes was inconclusive.
right: The experiment was sometimes inconclusive.
School - wrong: He is always is top of the class in math.
right: He is always top of the class in math.
Casual - wrong: I'm never am hungry in the morning.
right: I'm never hungry in the morning.
Casual - wrong: We were just were looking around the store.
right: We were just looking around the store.

Examples: many wrong → right pairs you can copy

Delete the second be; if meaning changes, choose a different verb.

Wrong: She was always is forgotten at meetings.
Right: She was always forgotten at meetings.
Wrong: They were never were ready on time.
Right: They were never ready on time.
Wrong: I am rarely am upset by criticism.
Right: I am rarely upset by criticism.
Wrong: The package was finally was delivered yesterday.
Right: The package was finally delivered yesterday.
Wrong: It is usually is cold here in March.
Right: It is usually cold here in March.
Wrong: The room was extremely was small.
Right: The room was extremely small.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the isolated phrase - context clarifies whether a second be is needed.

Rewrite help: three quick checks + many rewrites

Follow these checks and apply a rewrite pattern if deleting the extra be changes meaning.

Check 1: Remove the extra be and read the sentence aloud.
Check 2: If the result feels awkward, move the adverb or change the verb.
Check 3: If you intended two clauses, add a comma and conjunction or split the sentence.

Example: "She was always is forgotten at meetings." → "She was always forgotten at meetings."
Example: "He is really is a good writer." → "He is really a good writer." or "He really is a good writer."
Two clauses intended: "She is, and she is wrong about that."
Change verb: "The job is to be is done by Friday." → "The job should be done by Friday."
Contraction: "I am rarely am upset" → "I'm rarely upset."
Move adverb: "The meeting was briefly was postponed." → "The meeting was postponed briefly."

Memory trick: a short mental check you can use while writing

When you see an adverb after a form of be, ask: "Do I need another verb?" If not, delete it.

Mnemonic: One be → one state.
Say aloud: "be + adverb + complement." If you hear another be, stop and fix.

Hyphenation, spacing, and punctuation (related surface issues)

Removing a duplicate be can leave double spaces or misplaced punctuation. Also check hyphenation when adverbs modify adjectives before nouns.

Spacing: Delete extra spaces and fix leftover punctuation after removing a word.
Hyphenation: Use a hyphen before a noun when needed ("well-received response") depending on style.
Punctuation: If you split or join clauses while fixing verbs, check commas and conjunctions.

Wrong: The thesis was clearly was well-received.
Right: The thesis was clearly well received. / The thesis was well-received by the committee.
Wrong: She is really is proud of her work.
Right: She is really proud of her work.

Similar mistakes and quick fixes

The same "leftover from speech or editing" logic applies to duplicate auxiliaries, mixed verb forms, or stray modals.

Duplicate auxiliaries: "has have" → delete the extra auxiliary: "She has completed the form."
Mixed forms: "is to be is" → choose the correct structure: "The task is to be done by Friday." or "The job should be done by Friday."
Stray modals/words: After deleting a clause, re-read for stray words left behind.

Wrong: She has have completed the form.
Right: She has completed the form.
Wrong: The job is to be is done by Friday.
Right: The job is to be done by Friday. / The job should be done by Friday.
Wrong: You will will receive confirmation by email.
Right: You will receive confirmation by email.

FAQ

Why do I keep writing "is is" or "was was"?

Usually it's a speech disfluency or an editing leftover: you started to write the verb twice or left a copy after moving words. Remove the extra verb and re-read the sentence.

Is "be + adverb + be" ever correct?

Only when the two be forms are in different clauses (e.g., "I think he is, and he is wrong"). In a single clause it's incorrect.

How can I spot this quickly in long documents?

Search for common adverbs (always, often, usually, really, never) near forms of be, read sentences aloud, or use a grammar checker that flags duplicate words.

What if deleting the second be changes the meaning?

Then you probably intended two clauses or need a different verb. Add punctuation/conjunction for two clauses, or choose a verb like appear, seem, or become to preserve meaning.

Will grammar checkers catch this?

Many will. Tools that detect duplicate words and redundant copulas often flag these errors and suggest corrected sentences.

Quick check before you send

Before you send an email or submit a document, search for is/are/was/were near common adverbs and remove any duplicate be. If you prefer automation, paste sentences into a grammar checker to highlight duplicates and suggest rewrites.