Which form of "to be" is correct for the first person singular in the present tense?

The first person singular form of "to be" in the present tense is "am." This form is specifically used with the pronoun "I." For instance, in a sentence like "I am going to the store," "am" effectively links the subject "I" to the action or state of being.

Using "is" would be incorrect because it is the third person singular form used with "he," "she," or "it." "Are" is the present tense form used for the second person and plural subjects, such as "you" or "they." "Was" represents the past tense form used for all subjects in the singular, but it does not apply to the present tense. Thus, "am" is the correct form for first person singular in the present tense.