When to use the word were instead of was

When interpreting the English language, grammar rules are some of the most important fundamentals to understand. A common and often confusing source of questions relates to knowing when to use was and when to use were. Was vs. were has to do with the tense chosen to correctly communicate a sentence accurately. Deciphering when you should use either can be tricky because each word implies a different kind of time-based action or statement.

Depending on your situation, this can change drastically from sentence to sentence. Knowing which one you should use also depends heavily on whether you’re speaking in a first-person point of view or a second/third-person point of view. You must understand how was versus were works to properly express yourself in writing and speaking!

Definition of Was vs Were

Understanding the difference between “was” vs “were” can help you prevent mistakes in your writing. Was is used in the past tense to represent singular subjects, such as he/she/it, while were is also used for past tense but can only be used when writing about a plural subject like they or we.

For example:

• “They were walking down the street”
• “It was raining outside.”

Generally speaking, if you’re unsure which one to use for your sentence, consider replacing it with “was” because it covers both singular and plural subjects more broadly. Most of the time this works but there are a few exceptions. If it helps you remember which form of the verb to use, just think about were sounding like we-are; two people implies for plural so using were would make sense.

What Is the Difference Between Was and Were?

Was is the past tense of ‘be’ verb (am, are and is). It follows Singular Nouns or Subjects like I, He/she/it.

For example:

• I was late for work yesterday.
• He was playing soccer at 4 pm yesterday.

Were is the past tense of ‘be’ verb (am, are and is). It follows Plural Nouns or Subjects like you, We/they.

For example:

• We were late for work yesterday.
• They were playing soccer at 4 pm yesterday.

Common Mistakes with Was vs. Were

When using “was” and “were” in a sentence, it is important to be aware of common mistakes that can arise when they are incorrectly used.

• Many people struggle with when to use each version of the word; as stated earlier, was should typically be used for both singular and plural subjects but there are certain cases where were will need to be used instead.
• Another mistake to avoid is using “was” when referring to a future event; such as saying “I was going to the store tomorrow” instead of “I am going to the store tomorrow.”

Remember, if you are ever unsure which form of the verb to use, simply replace it with was—as this covers both singular and plural subjects more broadly. By keeping these rules in mind and familiarizing yourself with how they are correctly used in sentences, you can become an expert on Was vs Were!

When to Use Was

Was is an interesting word, but it can be difficult to know when exactly to use it. Generally speaking, it’s used for talking about the past and for connecting ideas in a sentence.

For example:

• “The dog was chasing its tail” shows an action that happened in the past. It can also be used with “have been” to show more of a continuous connection between two ideas, as in “She had been dancing since morning.” In situations involving only one verb phrase or sentence fragment, then you typically use it.
• However, if there are multiple words and phrases involved or you’re talking about something that happened a specific number of times before now then “were” is generally used instead. Knowing the different uses for “was” can make all the difference when communicating effectively!

When to Use Were

Using the correct verb tense can be a challenging part of English grammar, but understanding when to use “were” can be a little easier. The primary use for “were” is in the subjunctive mood which expresses hypothetical situations or ideas that are unlikely to happen. It is also typically used with “if” statements and other types of conditions.

For example, you may say, “If I were a millionaire, I would buy a beach house.” This phrase expresses an unlikely idea and so you must use “were” instead of “was,” which should only be used with facts and reality. In addition, “were” is also widely used in informal language as a past form of the verb “to be.” You could say something like “We were laughing so hard!” to indicate something that happened in the past—take special care here though; depending on subject agreement and the group size, you may need to use either “was” or “were.

Despite being difficult at times, familiarizing yourself with proper usage of “were” and other verbs can help keep your writing clear, concise and grammatically correct.

Special Cases for the Use of Was vs Were

The English language has some exceptions when it comes to the use of ‘was’ and ‘were’. For example, in certain cases you can use either a singular or plural verb without changing the meaning of the sentence. If something is considered a unit, like one country or one party, you would use a singular verb structure with ‘was’. On the other hand, if something involves more than one person or item that was part of a whole, then using ‘were’ is preferred.

We also encounter these type of special cases in conditional statements, conditional clauses such as ‘if’ and ‘wish’, and also in this type of main clause (I wish I were/was). Even though they can be confusing at times because both might be acceptable depending on the situation, gaining an understanding of these specific uses for was and were can help sharpen your English writing skills.

Examples of Was vs Were Used in Correct Contexts

Was and were are two different forms of the verb “to be.” It can be confusing to know which one is the right choice in any given context, but understanding their differences can help. Generally, was is used to refer to something that happened in the past, while were is commonly used when referring to a hypothetical situation or a condition that doesn’t exist.

For example, if you say “I was in the store yesterday,” you are talking about something that already happened. On the other hand, if you said “If I were president,” you are expressing an unrealized possibility. In addition, was is typically used when making statements about oneself or others, but were is often preferred for questions or for use with “I” or “he/she” pronouns.

As long as you remember these small nuances of usage and get some practice in with sentences using both was and were, your writing will sound natural and correct!

Common Mistakes When Using Was vs Were

When using the verb ‘to be’ there can often be confusion as to which should be used – ‘was’ or ‘were’. While this may not seem like a big deal, proper grammar usage can make or break the effectiveness of your writing. Common mistakes when using these two words include not conjugating correctly depending on the type of sentence being written and incorrectly switching between tenses with related clauses.

As someone who has been through such confusion before, I recommend focusing on the context of your sentence and making sure you know if you are referring to something in the past tense or present tense – this will help guide you toward the correct word choice. Whether you’re just starting out with grammar or looking for quick refreshers – it’s good to keep this distinction in mind!

Conclusion

Writing can be a daunting task, especially when you’re trying to get the grammar right. The use of “was” and “were” can be tricky if you don’t understand the differences between them; however, with a little practice and understanding of the proper context for each word, you should have no trouble mastering their usage in any writing project.

Special cases such as conditional statements or expressing hypothetical situations may require more attention, but once you become familiar with these exceptions, it will be much easier to write confidently and accurately. Understanding common mistakes people make when using was vs were is also important – so make sure to double-check your work if you’re ever unsure! With practice and patience, correctly using was vs were in your writing will become second nature. ​​

FAQs

Q: When is it appropriate to use ‘was’ instead of ‘were’?

A: Generally, you would use ‘was’ when referring to something that happened in the past. You can also use it when making statements about yourself or someone else.

Q: When is it appropriate to use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’?

A: Generally, you would use ‘were’ when referring to a hypothetical situation or condition that doesn’t exist. It’s also often preferred for questions and when using “I” or “he/she” pronouns.

Q: What is the difference between was and were?

A: Was is used for singular subjects, while were is used for plural subjects. For example, if you are talking about one person, you would use “was,” such as in the sentence “He was happy.” In contrast, if you are talking about multiple people, you would use “were,” such as in the sentence “They were happy.”

Q: When should I use was/were?

A: Was and were are used primarily to indicate past tense. For example, you could say “I was at the store yesterday” or “We were there last week.” They can also be used in conditional statements like “If I were you” or “If she was here.”

Q: Are there any exceptions to the rules for using was and were?

A: Yes, there are some special cases in which either was or were may be used regardless of the subject. For instance, when expressing a wish or hypothetical situation, “was” can often be used even with plural subjects. An example of this is “If I were rich…” Here, “were” is used alongside a singular subject (I), but it remains correct.

Additionally, in some dialects of English, “was” may be used as the past tense form for both singular and plural subjects. It is always best to consult with a native speaker or grammar guide to confirm which verb form is appropriate in any given situation.

Both was and were are correct forms of the verb “to be.” However, when to use was vs. were depends on whether you’re talking about something imaginary or something real.

Hypothetical situations need the subjunctive mood, so you should use were regardless of the speaker’s point of view. However, situations that actually happened in the past need the indicative mood. This means subject-verb agreement comes into play, so you should use was with I/he/she (She was here) but were with you/we/they (You/we/they were here).

When to Use Was vs. Were at a Glance:

Should you use was or were? This is a grammar question that even native English speakers struggle to answer correctly. Let’s look at the easiest way to know the difference between was and were. What’s more, you’ll see was vs. were example sentences and learn how to correctly use this irregular verb.

Indicative Mood: Past tense of the verb “to be”	I was	you were	he was	she was	it was	we were	you were	they were
Subjunctive Mood: Hypothetical situations with the verb “to be”	I were	you were	he were	she were	it were	we were	you were	they were

In this way, the difference between was and were comes down to describing something that actually happened in the past vs. an imaginary situation that never happened at all. Moreover, it also depends on who is speaking. Finally, subject-verb agreement also comes into play.

3 Easy Steps That Tell you When to use Was vs. Were

1. Ask yourself these questions:

• Did it really occur in the past?
• Or, are we talking about an imaginary situation that can’t be real?

2. If it actually occurred in the past:

Use was with the first and third person singular points of view:

• I was
• She was
• He was
• It was
• You were

But, use were with the second person (you) or third person (they) plural points of view. This helps ensure correct subject-verb agreement.

• You were
• They were

3. If the situation is imaginary and can’t be real:

Were is the only correct option. As such, use were for every point of view.

Why Second Conditional Uses Were?

A second conditional, or type 2 conditional sentence, describes hypothetical or imaginary situations, like dreams and wishes. In some instances, those situations could happen in the future, but they most likely won’t.

Below is the structure for a second conditional statement:

If + verb to be + condition

In the statement above, we used “were” instead of “was.” That’s even if the latter is considered the proper past simple form of the verb to be to go with the pronoun “I.”

We do this because we’re talking about an imaginary situation. No one can reverse time and be a child again, right? That’s just impossible. By saying “If I were,” we’re changing the mood of the verb to be from indicative to subjunctive.

The indicative mood describes real situations or facts. On the other hand, the subjunctive mood describes situations that are hypothetical or are not real. For second conditional statements, we always use were.

“Was” Usually Refers to the Past

When you see the word “was,” we’re most likely talking about something that previously occurred.

Specifically, was indicates that the first and third singular person points of view acted in the past. For this reason, we use was with the indicative mood.

In other words, the rule for was/were typically comes down to singular vs. plural when using the past tense of the verb “to be.”

However, as with most grammatical rules in English, there is an exception here.

Which is Correct: “If I Was” or “If I Were”

Most statements that include if are subjunctive. In these cases, we use were. Notwithstanding, there is one exception for the first person point of view: I.

On one side, we have was in the indicative mood to indicate reality.

On the other, we have were in the subjunctive mood to refer to imaginary or hypothetical situations.

But, there is also a third option in the middle: what should you use when you aren’t sure if something is real or imaginary?

In this case, “If I was” is the grammatically correct choice. In other words, when it’s not clear if something is real or hypothetical, “I was” is correct.

In the above example, the speaker isn’t sure if they made a mistake or not. This situation might be imaginary, but it might also be real. As a result, the speaker can’t use were since this option is for purely imaginary situations.

Therefore, we use “If I was” to show this doubt grammatically.

Now, let’s compare the “If I was vs. were” in action:

The above example expresses a purely imaginary situation: I don’t live in Los Angeles, so I don’t drive to work. I show that the scenario isn’t real by using the verb “to be” with the subjunctive mood were.

Conversely, the above example expresses doubt. For instance, I did live in Los Angeles in the past, but I don’t anymore. Additionally, I used to drive, but I don’t anymore.

If I don’t remember exactly when I moved or when I stopped driving, I should use the if I was construction to express this doubt to my audience.

When “Were” is Past Tense and When it’s Subjunctive

Was tends to hang out exclusively with the past tense in the indicative mood. However, were can express the real past tense in the indicative mood or an imaginary situation in the subjunctive mood. How do you tell the difference?

Were and Past Tense

The trick here is to associate were and the past tense with subject-verb agreement. In other words, whether you should use was vs. were depends on who is speaking.

For example, use was with these points of view:

• First person singular = I was
• Third person singular = he/she/it was

However, use were with these points of view:

• Second person singular = you were
• Second person plural = you (all) were
• First person plural = wewere
• Third person plural = theywere

Should I use Was or Were with There?

Whether to use was or were with therehas to do with subject-verb agreement. When a sentence starts with the word there, the words following the verb are typically the subject. For example, in the sentence “There are oranges on the table,” the subject is oranges. If the subject is singular, then you should use the verb was (“There was an orange…“). Yet, if the subject is plural, then the correct verb to use is were (“There were oranges…“).

Were and the Subjunctive Mood

Subjunctive what? Unless you’re a diehard grammarian or advanced polyglot, you’ve probably never heard of subjunctive mood. In simple terms, the phrase describes a verb tense we associate with unreal statements or questions.

Essentially, whereas most statements reveal something that is currently happening or has previously happened, a subjunctive sentence refers to something that hasn’t actually happened. That may be a want, a wish, or a suggestion.

In both written and spoken English, subjunctive mood usually appears by an indicative verb such aswant, wish, desire, suggest, or recommend. What’s more, sentences that express possibilities often include the word if.

When creating a subjunctive mood, the traditional singular/plural rules for was/were don’t apply. In fact, when it comes to the subjunctive mood, there’s an easy rule for choosing was or were: always choose were.

You’ll note that none of these examples describes a current reality. Instead, they all describe hypothetical, desired, or imaginary situations. Therefore, we use were regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural to make this departure from reality clear.

Which is Correct Grammatically: If I Was or If I Were?

Both of the phrases if I was and if I were are grammatically correct, but they mean very different things. Therefore, the difference between if I was and if I weredepends on what you are trying to say. First, use if I was for something that might be real, or to express doubt when you’re not sure if something is true (If I was late responding to you, I apologize). Second, use if I were to express something unreal, imaginary, or hypothetical (If I were a dragon…”

Often, the word if introduces subjunctive mood. When a sentence includes the phrase if I was orif I were, grammatists tend to label this subjunctive mood. That means the sentence refers to something that goes against, or is contrary to, the current truth. In other words, the sentence may express a desire, wish, possibility, or hypothetical situation. For subjunctive statements or questions, the grammatically correct phrase is “If I were“.

Was and Were Sentence Examples

Here are examples of was vs. were in a sentence:

Can you say if I Were?

You can say if I were. In fact, were is typically the correct conjugation of the verb to be in this context. Because this phrase begins with the word if, it’s subjunctive mood. That’s another way of saying it describes a hypothetical or unreal situation. In subjunctive sentences, the correct form of to be is always were.

Is If I Were a Boy Grammatically Correct?

If I were a boy is grammatically correct. This construction is correct because it reflects subjunctive mood. In other words, the phrase refers to a hypothetical or unreal situation. In this particular hypothetical, the writer is speculating about what might happen if her gender were different. When you write a sentence using subjunctive mood, you should always conjugate the the verb “to be” as were— regardless of the speaker’s point of view.

Were vs. Was: a Matter of Style?

It’s also worth noting that more and more writers are opting to use was instead of were in subjunctive sentences. This is particularly true in informal prose. It’s led some grammarians to speculate about the subjunctive were eventually becoming obsolete.

A Brief Was/Were Recap

By following a few basic rules, understanding when to use was and were doesn’t have to leave you with a headache.

1. When conjugating the verb to be in the past tense, use was when writing in first or third person singular. Use were when writing in second person singular or plural or first-person or third-person plural.
2. Use were when crafting sentences that involve hypothetical situations, speculation, or wishes. This is known as subjunctive mood and is often identified by the inclusion of the word if.
3. If a sentence starts with the word there, use was if the subject is singular. Use were if the subject is plural.

Practice Your Grammar Skills With These Was and Were Exercises

Read More: 🛣️ Toward Vs. Towards: An Easy Guide On When To Use Which

Was and were are both past tenses of the verb to be. The verb be is a tricky one because it is an irregular verb and one that we find ourselves using with great frequency, so it is that much more important that we choose the correct verb for our sentences.

In this post, I want to go over the grammar behind was vs. were, when it’s correct to use which one, and give you a few tips to keep track of them both. After reading this post, you shouldn’t have any trouble correctly choosing between was or were in your future writing.

Forms of Was and Were

As I said above, was and were are in the past tense, but they are used differently.

Was is used in the first person singular (I) and the third person singular (he, she, it).

Were is used in the second person singular and plural (you, your, yours) and first and third person plural (we, they).

The forms that was and were will take in your sentence are summarized in the chart below,

Singular = I was, You were, He was, She was, It was

Plural = We were, You were, They were

• I was driving to the park.
• You were drinking some water.
• He was about to eat dinner.
• She was at the roller rink.
• It was a great time.
• We were in the right spot.
• They were nowhere to be seen.

If I was vs. If I were

While some people get mixed up on what we’ve covered above, most of the confusion with these two words centers on the use of the subjunctive mood and specifically the two phrases if I was vs. if I were. For example, which of the following two choices is correct?

• If I was a better cook, I could entertain more.

-or-

• If I were a better cook, I could entertain more.

You hear people say both each and every day, so it’s hard to know which is correct. The answer, however, has to do with the subjunctive mood.

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is a verb form that is used for unreal or hypothetical statements. It is made up of the phrases I were, he were, she were, it were, etc. You often use this form when you are being wishful. For example,

• I wish I weren’t so shy.
• I wish it were warmer outside.
• If I were taller, I could dunk a basketball.
• If John were a rich man, he could drive a fancy car.
• He acts as if he were the one in charge.
• John spends money as if he were a millionaire.

All of the above sentences use the verb were because they aren’t true; they do not describe reality.

In the first two sentences, I am talking about things I wish would happen.

In the third and fourth sentences, I am talking about situations that would happen if I were taller and if John were rich, speaking hypothetically.

And the fifth and sixth sentences are examples of unreal statements.

When to Use Were

Another good example of the subjunctive mood can be found in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. In the song, “If I were a rich man,” the character Tevye sings about how different his life would be and all the things he would do if he were rich.

If I were a rich man, I’d build a big tall house…

If I were a rich man, I’d have the time that I lack.

If I were a wealthy man, I wouldn’t have to work hard.

In these lines, Tevye is fantasizing about life as a wealthy man. He isn’t rich now; he’s just imagining it, so we need to use the subjective “If I were,” not “If I was.”

The correct answer for the example above, therefore, is, “If I were a better cook, I could entertain more.”

Tricks to Remember

Two good clues for the subjunctive mood are the words if and wish. If you see either of these words, there is a good chance you will need to use the subjunctive.

When to Use Was

Since were is used for statements that do not describe reality, was is just the opposite. Was is used for statements of fact. For example,

• Last night, I was watching TV until midnight.
• When I was younger, I wanted to be a singer.
• Your brother was my college roommate.

Summary

These words are used differently in sentences, so it’s important to know when to use were vs. was.

Was is used in the first and third person singular past. It is used for statements of fact.

Were is used in the second person singular and plural and first and third person plural. It is used in the subjunctive mood to indicate unreal or hypothetical statements. The words if and wish usually indicate the subjunctive mood.

< Where versus Were versus Wear

Was versus Were >

The verb “was” is a past form of the “be” verb and is used as an auxiliary verb and as a main verb. It is a third-person singular simple past tense indicative of “be” and a first-person singular simple past tense indicative of “be.” Meanwhile, the verb “were” is a plural and the second-person singular of the past tense of “be” word. The word “were” is sometimes used instead of “was” in certain structures. 

The differences and comparisons for “was” and “were” are listed below. 

• “Was” is used as a past tense. 
• “Was” is used in the first-person singular past tense form of the verb be. 
• “Was” is used in the third-person singular past tense form of the verb be. 
• “Was” is used to indicate past events, prior conditions, or completed processes. 
• “Was”  is used to talk about reality and known facts. 
• “Were” is used in the past tense. 
• “Were” is used in the third-person plural past tense (they and we).
• “Were” is used in the second-person past tense (you). 
• “Were” is used for wishful thinking. 
• “Were” is used for statements that do not describe reality. 

The terms “was” and “were” must be used in the past tense. However, when it comes to their own usage, “was” vs. “were” are different. “Was” must be used in the first-person and third-person singular past. It must be used for statements of facts. Meanwhile, the verb ”were” must be used in the second-person singular and plural, and the first-person and third-person plural. It must be used in the subjunctive mood to indicate unreal or hypothetical statements. Some example sentences using ‘was” are “Johnny was a pilot in the Air Force.” “Mary was a former nurse at the most prestigious Hospital.” The example of “was” is used in singular past sentences. It states an event that was happened in the past. “They were out so late.” “If it were possible to solve a giant puzzle, their group would have done it.” On the other hand, the example sentences of the word “were” was used in third-person plural sentences. The event in the sentence describes something that has happened in the past.

What does “Was” Mean?

The term “was” is a part of the “be” verb. It is a past tense auxiliary verb and the main verb. The word “was” is used in the first-person singular (I) and the third-person singular (He, She, It). The origin history and etymology for “was” comes from an Old English “waes,” first-singular and third-singular past indicative of wesan to be;” akin to Old Norse, “vera to be,” “var was,” ”Sanskrit vast,” meaning he lives or dwells. The word “was” is one of the most common words being used in English. It ranks as one of the top 2 most commonly used words, together with the other “be” verb words. The importance of using the word “was” in people’s daily lives, especially when it comes to conversation, has become prominent already. Using proper words in a sentence, such as using “was”​​ in a past tense sentence, is very important because it delivers a message to a person indicating the event in the past. 

What are the sentence examples with “Was”?

Listed below are the example sentences for using the verb “was.” 

• The water was dripping from the house and the essential files were wet and destroyed. 
• He was among those people who saw Mary come out from the grocery store with tears of emotion in her eyes. ​​
• She was invited as the guest speaker at the University’s graduation event. 
• It was a house full of unknown people.
• She was making noises in the public market. 

When to use the word “Was” in a sentence?

The word “was” is the past tense indicative form of the verb “to be,” which means “to exist or live.” Its form of “be” is used in the first-person singular (I) and third-person singular (He/She/It) forms of the sentence. The term “was” must be used when discussing past events and things that are already well known. The approach is exactly the same when it comes to employing the first-person or third-person singular. An illustration of its use is the sentence “I was at the grocery shop.” “He was at the supermarket.”  Another application for the word “was” is in the context of the past continuous tense, where it functions as an auxiliary verb with a single subject. The employment of an auxiliary verb in conjunction with another verb that comes after it in a phrase allows for the expression of a variety of tenses, aspects, moods, etc., and the usage of the past continuous tense refers to an object that was occurring in the past. To modify the previous example, “I was searching for some ingredients at the grocery store.”  The action of “searching” in the past is denoted by the auxiliary verb or helping verb known as “was,” and the word “was” is the term that is used to describe the action. The word “was” must only be used in the past tense when discussing activities or occurrences that took place in the past as its intended meaning. It is best to avoid employing it in other tenses, such as the present tense because doing so creates confusion and prevents writers from effectively conveying the meaning of the statement in question.

What is the difference between “You Was” and “You Were?

There is a big difference between the phrases “you was” and “you were.” The phrase “you was” is incorrect and must not be used in English. It is considered informal and nonstandard English, which means that it is used in some parts of the English world. The ​​phrase “you was” is commonly used in a conversation with close friends, family, etc. Meanwhile, the phrase “you were” is grammatically correct in English. “You were” is the second-person singular of the verb “to be” in the past simple tense. It is commonly used as the beginning of a sentence or clause. On top of that, there are no alternative phrases for “you was” and “you were” to use. 

What is the difference between “if I was” and “if I Were?

There is a huge difference between the phrases “if I was” and “if I were.” A speaker or writer must use “if I was” when referring to something that actually happened. Meanwhile, the use of “if I were” is for the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to talk about hypothetical situations or things that are contrary to facts. It means that the phrase “if I were” must only be used for something that a speaker or writer is wishing or imagining might have happened. A speaker is able to tell which one to use by whether the event being discussed is conditional and has already occurred, or whether it is still hypothetical at some point. 

What does “Were” Mean?

The word “were” is the past tense form of the verb “to be.” It is the past tense second-person singular, past tense plural, and past subjective. The past tense second-person singular refers to sentences where the subject is the singular (you). On the other hand, the past tense plural refers to sentences where the subject is a group of multiple subjects in first-person, second-person, or third-person. Plural pronouns include “we,” “they,” and the plural “you.” Meanwhile, the past subjective refers to sentences that express a hypothetical condition. Often, the past subjective clauses begin with a phrase like “if” or “as though.” On top of that, the word “were” originates from the Old English words “waere,” “waeron,” and “waeren.” It is akin to the word “var” in Old Norse, which was the past tense form of “vera,” which meant “to be.” These words evolved into the words “were” and “weren” in Middle English, and later became the word “were” speakers and writers use today. Moreover, the word “were” is a common English word. It has become an important word in the lives of people, especially when it comes to having a conversation. The verb “were” is essential to understanding and describing things that are hypothetical or fantastical in the subjunctive mood of sentences. It is for describing sentences that aren’t true yet or aren’t happening. 

What are the sentence examples with “Were”?

Listed below are examples of sentences using “were.”

• All the houses in the city were made of glass, so clear and transparent that one could look through the walls as easily as through a window.
• It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes. 
• Your father was saying you all were going to the moon in a rocket ship made of metals they hadn’t even invented. 
• Suddenly a man appeared through a hole in the roof next to the one they were on and stepped into plain view. 
• Does he know you were there?

When to use the word “Were” in a sentence?

The word “were” is used for both the third-person plural past tense (they and we) and the second-person past tense (you). Among its many synonyms is the word “existed.” The verb “were” acts similar to “was” in the past indicative For example, “They were at the grocery store.” Moreover, the verb “were” acts as an auxiliary verb. To modify the previous example, “They were searching for ingredients at the grocery store.” To sum it all up, for past indicative second person and all plural forms, use “were.” For a hypothetical or fantastical subjunctive mood for both singular and plural forms, use “were.” On top of that, “were” should not be used in other tenses such as present tense because the word “were” is a past tense conjugation of “to be,” specifically the 2nd-person singular and 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-person plural ones.  

What are the synonyms of “Were”?

There are more than a hundred synonyms for the verb “were.” Some of them are, “prevail,” “endure,” “go on,” “persist,” “breathe,” “acted,” “exist,” “live,” etc. Some example sentences of the synonym of “were” are “My parents acted (were) deeply grieved and perplexed.” “Tears continued (were) streaming down her cheeks, but she glared at him.” On top of that, the word “were” has some variations when it comes to formulating a sentence. The word will depend on how the sentence is constructed. One of the variations that are commonly used in formulating a sentence is “weren’t.” The word “weren’t” is a contraction word for “were not,” meaning two words joined as one. Moreover, there are no other alternative phrases being used aside from the mentioned verbs or words. 

How is the pronunciation of “Was” and “Were”?

​​The verb “was” is pronounced as “w/ə/z” when the word is unstressed. The vowel sound changes to a schwa “ə” and the s in the word “was” is pronounced as “z.” Meanwhile, the verb “were” is pronounced as “wə” when the word is unstressed. The same thing as the verb “was,” except the vowel sound changes to a schwa “ə.” The letter “r” in the verb “were” is promoted as “er.” The verbs “was” and “were” are words that have soft letters but are pronounced differently. 

Comparison between “Was” and “Were”

Listed below is the table that shows the comparison between the verbs “was” and “were.”

Why are “Was” and “Were” misused and interchangeably in English?

The verbs “was” and “were” are commonly misused and interchangeable words in English. The main reason for that is because these verbs are both used in the past tense. Most speakers and writers have been using these verbs in either formal or informal conversations, which leads to incorrect use of these verbs, especially for non-native speakers. The use of “was” and “were” does not result in any confusion in terms of the way the words are pronounced, spelled, or typed. The use of “was” and “were” is perplexing because they are both used in the past tense and are frequently used interchangeably. Having said that, there are circumstances in which these words, depending on the construction and structure of the sentences, are not able to be used. These circumstances include talking about reality and the subjunctive mood. The solution to avoid confusion is to remember that when it comes to events that are realistic, the verb ”was” must be used. Meanwhile, when it comes to imagination or wishful thinking, the verb ”were” must be used. Another thing to consider is to remember that “was” is the 1st person singular past tense form of the verb “to be”, and the 3rd person/ singular past tense form of the verb “to be”. Meanwhile, the verb “were” is the 2nd person singular and plural past tense form of the verb “to be.”

Are “Was” and “Were” in the most commonly misused English words?

Yes, the verbs “was” and “were” are one of the most commonly misused English words. Among other misused English words, the verbs “was” and “were” generate much confusion because both verbs are past tense forms of “to be.” Sometimes, the misused English words “was” is used instead of “were”, and sometimes the verb “were” is used instead of “was.” However, there is very much distinction between the two to avoid confusion. The verb “was” is used as past tense indicative form of “to be” and is used in the first-person singular (I) and the third-person singular (he/she/it). In addition, the verb “was” must be used when talking about reality and known facts that happened in the past. Meanwhile, the verb “were” is the singular past tense of “to be” and is used for both the third-person plural past tense (they and we) and the second-person past tense (you). 

What are the other similar Misused Word Pairs like “Were” and “Was” in English?

Listed below are the other similar word pair like the verb “was” and “were.”

• “Above” vs. “Over”: The word “above” and “over” are similar to the misused words “was” and “were” in English. They are similar to the words “was” and “were” as both words have different functions and meanings in regard to structuring a sentence. The words “above” and “over” are both prepositions and adverbs which are used to describe the position of any person or object, and it discusses measurements; a level that is higher than another level on a scale. However, the word “over” expresses the location precisely, in the sense that it indicates the movements of the object from one side to another.
• “Between” vs “Among”: The word “between” and “among” are the same as the misused words “was” and “were” in English, mainly because they have different functions and definitions when it comes to sentencing forming. The word “between” is used when referring to one-to-one relationships. Meanwhile, the word “among” is used among cases of non-specific relationships involving more than two objects or persons.
• “Been” vs. “Gone”: The word “been” and “gone” is similar to the misused words “was” and “were” in English. They are similar to the words “was” and “were” because they have distinct functions and definitions when used in constructing a sentence. The word “been” is used as the past participle of the verb “be,” while the word “gone” is used as the past participle of the verb “go.”
• “All ready” vs. “Already”: The word “All ready” and “already” are similar to the misused words “was” and “were” in English, mainly because they have different functions and definitions when it is used to structure a sentence. The word “all ready” is a phrase that means “completely prepared.” Whereas, the word “already” is an adverb used for talking about something that has happened before now or before a particular time in the past. 
• “Especially” vs. “Specially”:  The word “especially” and “specially” are the same as the misused words “was” and “were” in English. They are similar to the words “was” and ”were” as they have different functions and definitions when it is used in a sentence. The word “especially” is a common adverb that means particularly, exceptionally, or above all to signify one person or thing among others. Meanwhile, the word “specially” is another adverb that means particularly. However, there is a condition. It is being used for a specific or special purpose of something.

What are the things should a content writer consider in using the word ”Was” and “Were”?

There are factors and things that content must consider when using the word “was” and “were.” One of which is the use of past indicative or past subjunctive tenses. The past indicative is used for ordinary objective statements or questions, and the past subjunctive is used for imaginary or hypothetical statements or questions. Another thing to consider is the use of the subject. The “to be” verb in the past indicative, depends on the subject to conjugate. The verb “was” is a past tense indicative form of the “to be” verb and is used in the first-person singular (I) and the third-person singular (he/she/it). Use the past indicative “was” when talking about reality and known facts. Another way of using the “was” verb is as an auxiliary verb. An auxiliary verb is used with another verb that follows it in the sentence to express different tenses, aspects, moods, etc. Meanwhile, the verb “were” is used for both the third-person plural past tense (they and we) and the second-person past tense (you). One thing to consider when using the verb “were” is to remember the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is the opposite of indicative, and it’s all about things that are unreal or conditional. 

Can content writers use “Was” and “Were” in one sentence?

No, a content writer is not able to use the verbs “was” and “were” in one sentence because both verbs have different functions in the sentence. It becomes grammatically incorrect when both verbs will be used in the same sentence. The message of the sentence will become unclear and oftentimes, the listener or reader will get confused about it. The verb “was” is used for real events that happened in the past or known facts. Meanwhile, the use of the verb “were” is more on the subjunctive mood, which is in the form of wishful thinking. The most commonly used verb among the two in a sentence is the verb “was” because it is used to state a fact about the events that happened in the past. It is most commonly used, especially when it comes to a conversation type of content. 

How do Content Writers use “Was” and “Were” in their articles?

The content writers use the verbs “was” and “were” in their article to indicate past events, specifically when talking about history, or previous events that happened in the past. The “were” verb is being used as a past indicative instead of a subjunctive because when it comes to writing an article, facts must be given and not wishful thoughts. Aside from that, an article is commonly written in past tense forms which why writers have been commonly used the verbs “was” and “were” in creating a content. On top of that, it is very important, especially for content writers to know the difference between the verb “was” and “were” because it indicates the connection between time periods or the exact time an activity occurred. It is where it underlines the importance of English grammar. The use of correct grammar makes the content writing effective and trustworthy. The right usage of these verbs helps to anchor the listener to understand the meaning behind the article. 

Do Content Writers use “Was” and “Were” in a wrong way?

No, professional content writers do not use the verbs “was” and “were” incorrectly. Professional writers are able to grasp more than enough knowledge about what to use when to use, and how to use verbs, tenses, and grammar. There is a high probable percentage for beginners. However, it is very basic that everyone, especially content writers must know because it makes their content accurate, trustworthy, and reliable source for the readers. Furthermore, to avoid using these verbs incorrectly, proofreading is very important before publishing the content. 

Do Misused Words such as “Were” and “Was” affect SEO and UX?

Poor usage of words, poor grammar, wrongly misused words and spelled incorrectly look unprofessional for content. Not only will these issues cause poor responses, but they will impact the SEO hard way. It will impact the company’s bounce rate, which hurts SEO long-term if a visitor is not finding what they are looking for. It is very essential to make sure that all the work in writing content is accurate; it includes backlinks in the articles. Providing clean, error-free content to the readers and ensuring that the backlinks are credible is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) longevity. 

Правильное употребление глагола to be — камень преткновения в изучении английского языка. В частности, затруднения возникают при выборе прошедших форм глагола «быть» — was и were. Они используются и как самостоятельные глаголы, и в составе разных конструкций. Разберем все возможные случаи употребления was и were и узнаем, как выбрать нужную форму.

Was и were как прошедшая форма глагола быть (to be)

Was и were в качестве прошедших форм глагола to be для Past Simple используются в значении «был», «находился». В этом разделе мы рассмотрим, когда и как нужно употреблять эти формы.

Когда was, а когда — were?

Чтобы понять, какую форму выбрать в конкретном случае, необходимо посмотреть на подлежащее. Если оно выражено существительным в единственном числе или местоимениями I, he, she или it, то was — верная форма. А если подлежащее стоит во множественном числе или представляет собой местоимения you, we или they, то выбрать нужно were.

Стоит отметить одну особенность английского языка: местоимение you согласуется с глаголами только в форме множественного числа. Это значит, что в настоящем времени глагол to be превращается в are, а в прошедшем, соответственно, в were:

• You are an engineer. — Ты инженер.
• You were an engineer. — Ты был инженером.

Случаи употребления was и were

Самые частые случаи употребления was и were — описание качеств, профессий, местонахождения в прошедшем времени:

• That evening was amazing. — Тот вечер был замечательным.
• His sister was a singer. — Его сестра была певицей.
• My books were on the table. — Мои книги были на столе.

Was и were в отрицательных предложениях

Для отрицания нужно просто добавить частицу not после глагола:

• Jane’s father was not in the office. — Отец Джейн не был в офисе.
• The animals were not sick. — Животные не были больны.

Часто используют сокращенную форму глагола, соединяя его с частицей not апострофом (надстрочной запятой):

• I wasn’t hungry. — Я не был голоден.
• My friends weren’t at the party three days ago. — Мои друзья были на вечеринке 3 дня назад.

Was и were в вопросительных предложениях и коротких ответах

Образование вопросов с was и were отличается от стандартных предложений в Past Simple. Обычно вопросительное предложение в этом времени выглядит так:

• Did you go to school yesterday? — Ты ходил в школу вчера?

Вспомогательный глагол did стоит на первом месте. Однако если нужно составить вопрос с to be в прошедшей форме, то was или were играют роль вспомогательного глагола и выносятся в начало предложения:

• Were you at school yesterday? — Ты был вчера в школе?

Короткий ответ на такой вопрос строится по схеме: Yes (no), subject (подлежащее) + was/were (not). Рассмотрим на примере:

• Were they in Moscow last year? — Были ли они в Москве в прошлом году?
• Yes, they were. — Да, были.
• No, they were not (weren’t) — Нет, не были.

Was и were в устойчивых выражениях с глаголом to be

Существует множество устойчивых выражений с глаголом to be. Чаще всего используются:

• to be interested in — интересоваться;
• to be good at–быть способным к чему-либо;
• to be glad– радоваться;
• to be in a hurry — спешить;
• to be famous for — известный чем-либо;
• to be fond of — любить;
• to be familiar with — хорошо знать что-либо;
• to be afraid of — бояться чего-либо;
• to be busy with — быть занятым чем-либо;
• to be upset about — быть расстроенным чем-либо.

Для образования предложений с этими словосочетаниями в прошедшем времени глагол to be превращается в was или were. Форма зависит от лица и числа подлежащего:

• All my students were good at foreign languages. — Все мои студенты были способны к иностранным языкам.
• I wasn’t afraid of darkness in my childhood. — В детстве я не боялся темноты.
• What was this city famous for? — Чем был известен этот город?

Формы there was / there were

Грамматический оборот there was / there were используется в тех же случаях, что и there is / there are, только в прошедшем времени. Мы употребляем эту конструкцию для описания места, указания факта существования чего-либо:

• There were 2 apples and 5 oranges on the table. — На столе было 2 яблока и 5 апельсинов.
• There was a beautiful picture on the wall. — На стене была красивая картина.

There was используется, если следующее за ним существительное — неисчисляемое (water, sugar, bread) или стоит в единственном числе, а there were — если существительное во множественном числе.

В вопросительных предложения слова конструкции меняются местами:

• Were there any carpets in the flat? — В квартире были ковры?

Также можно добавлять вопросительные слова how much / how many, what:

• How many carpets were there in the flat? — Сколько было ковров в квартире?
• What was there in the cupboard? — Что было в шкафу?

Was / were как вспомогательный глагол в Past Continuous

Past Continuous обозначает событие или процесс, которое длилось в определенный момент в прошлом. Для образования этого времени понадобятся was (для единственного числа) или were (для множественного числа) и причастие с окончанием -ing. Рассмотрим на примерах утвердительное, отрицательное и вопросительное предложения:

• You were cooking spaghetti at 5 o’clock yesterday. — Ты готовил спагетти вчера в 5 часов.
• You weren’t cooking spaghetti at 5 o’clock yesterday. — Ты не готовил спагетти вчера в 5 часов.
• Were you cooking spaghetti at 5 o’clock yesterday? — Ты готовил вчера спагетти в 5 часов?

Was / were и пассивный залог

Существует 2 вида залога — активный (active voice) и пассивный (passive voice). Различие между ними заключается в том, как происходит действие. В первом случае подлежащее выполняет действие:

• They visited the library. — Они посетили библиотеку.

Во втором случае — в пассивном залоге — действие осуществляется над подлежащим:

• The library was visited. — Библиотеку посетили.

Пассивная конструкция образуется так: was / were + причастие прошедшего времени (Participle II). Форма глагола to be зависит от лица и числа подлежащего:

• The pupils were asked to bring new exercise-books. — Учеников попросили принести новые тетради.
• I wasn’t invited to the party. — Меня не пригласили на вечеринку.
• When was the castle built? — Когда замок был построен?

Модальный глагол to be to в прошедшем времени

Модальный глагол to be to выражает обязанность или необходимость. На русский язык эта конструкция может переводиться как «должен», «обязан», «договорились». А форма was/were + to + Simple Infinitive говорит о том, что что-то должно было произойти, но мы не знаем, произошло ли на самом деле. Рассмотрим на примере:

• They were to prepare the documents. — Они должны были подготовить документы.

Также эта конструкция может выражать строгий запрет:

• Kate was not to go there. — Кейт не должна была туда идти.

Употребление was/were в условных предложениях

Прошедшая форма глагола to be используется во втором типе условных предложений (Second Conditional). Они описывают нереальные или воображаемые ситуации в настоящем или будущем времени. В условной части такого предложения (после if) ставится глагол в Past Simple, а во второй части, где указывается следствие, используются would и инфинитив смыслового глагола:

• If I were you, I would call her. — На твоем месте я бы ей позвонил.
• If Olga were not offended, she would visit us. — Если бы Ольга не была обижена, она бы пришла к нам.

Здесь важно отметить, что в условии глагол to be принимает только форму were, независимо от того, в каком числе и лице стоит подлежащее.

В конструкции «I wish…»

Грамматическая конструкция wish + were переводится как «жаль, что../» или «хотел бы../».

• I wish my company were more successful. — Я хотел бы, чтобы моя компания была более успешной.
• I wish I were 16 years old. — Жаль, что мне не 16 лет.

В этой конструкции всегда ставится форма were,  даже если подлежащее представлено единственным числом.

С местоимениями each/none и неисчисляемыми существительными

Все существительные делятся на исчисляемые (countable) и неисчисляемые (uncountable). Различать их просто: к исчисляемым относятся объекты, которые можно посчитать (ручка — ручки, книга — книги, дерево — деревья), тогда как неисчисляемые существительные не поддаются счету (вода, мука, воздух).

С неисчисляемыми существительными используется was:

• The water was very warm. — Вода была очень теплой.
• Sugar was in the box. — Сахар был коробке.

Что касается местоимений each и none, с ними также употребляется форма was:

• Each of the participants was ready to read a report. — Каждый из участников был готов прочитать доклад.
• None of us was happy to hear that. — Никто из нас не был рад услышать это.

Важно: в предложениях с none не нужно ставить дополнительно частицу not после глагола, так как это местоимение уже обозначает отрицание.

Выбор верной прошедшей формы глагола to be зависит от конкретного предложения. В большинстве случаев глагол согласуется с подлежащим: для единственного числа употребляется was, для множественного — were.

There are plenty of questions associated with the verb to be. “To be or not to be,” for one. On a less existential note, there’s the question of how to use to be in the grammatically correct way. I am, you are, he was, they were—the forms of the verb to be, among many other things, are messy in English.

You might find yourself puzzling out a sentence such as: If she was unhappy, she should have said so. Is this sentence correct? Or should If she was switch to the phrase If she were?

Was vs. were, what’s the difference?

Much of the confusion lies in when to use was versus were, which are the past tense forms of to be. The answer all depends on two factors: 1) is your verb using first, second, or third person? And, 2) is your verb in past indicative or past subjunctive tense? Past indicative is used for ordinary objective statements or questions, and past subjunctive is used for imaginary or hypothetical statements or questions.

Were is always correct in the past subjunctive:

• I were
• You were
• He/she/it were
• We were
• You were
• They were

If this looks a little odd, remember that these constructions are often accompanied by a word like if, as if, and though. You might say, “If I were a rich man …”

Don’t we all wish we were rich … so would you say “wish I was” or “wish I were”?

To conjugate to be in the past indicative, however, using was or were depends on the subject:

• I was
• You were
• He/she/it was
• We were
• You were
• They were

It’s possible to get mixed up even with this straight conjugation in mind. But there are some tips and tricks to remember to make sure you use the correct verb form every time.

When to use was

Was is a past tense indicative form of be, meaning “to exist or live,” and is used in the first person singular (I) and the third person singular (he/she/it).

You use the past indicative when you’re talking about reality and known facts. If you went to the store, for example, then you would say, “I was at the store” because it is something that definitely happened. The same is true if you’re talking about someone else in the third person (or if you make the choice to talk about yourself in the third person). You would say, “Sarah was at the store,” for example, or “She was at the store.”

Another way to use was is as an auxiliary verb with a singular subject in the past continuous tense. An auxiliary verb is used with another verb that follows it in the sentence to express different tenses, aspects, moods, etc., and the past continuous tense refers to something that was ongoing in the past.

If you were to modify the previous example (I was at the store) with an auxiliary verb, you would say, “I was searching for spices at the store.” Was is the auxiliary verb (or helping verb) used to talk about what you were doing in the past (searching).

Examples of was in a sentence

So to recap, if you’re talking about something real that happened in the past, use the past tense indicative: I was or he/she/it was. (Were is used with the other pronouns.) Here are some example sentences:

• I was sick last night.
• He had an amazing imagination when he was a child.
• We turned down the music because it was too loud.

When to use were

Whereas was is the singular past tense of to be, were is used for both the third person plural past tense (they and we) and the second person past tense (you).

In the past indicative, were acts similar to was. “They were at the store,” you could say, for example. It also acts similar as an auxiliary verb, as in “They were searching for spices at the store.”

Things get a little more complicated with were, though, and it’s all thanks to this thing called the subjunctive mood.

The subjunctive mood is the opposite of indicative, and it’s all about things that are unreal or conditional. When you’re talking about your hopes and dreams, you’re using the subjunctive mood. The same goes for talking about something you intend or want to do, as well as for things you know will never be true or are no longer true.

A telltale sign that you’re working with the subjunctive mood is the word if, because this suggests a hypothetical. “If I were to go shopping, I could search for spices,” for example. It doesn’t matter if the subject is singular or plural, or if it’s first, second, or third person. If you’re using the subjunctive mood, the grammatically correct past tense of to be is were.

Speech is always evolving, and the subjunctive mood is used far less extensively than it was in the past. And what’s more, much of the way we talk and write in everyday English isn’t what our old schoolteachers would wag the ruler at us as “grammatically correct.” But if you want to conform with those standards, use were when it comes to the past tense of to be.

Examples of were in a sentence

If you’re discussing things that are unreal or conditional, then use were: I were and he/she/it were. Here are some example sentences:

• If I were in better shape, I would run in the race.
• She took over the meeting as if she were the boss.
• His father talked to him as though he were a child.

When to use was vs. were

To sum it all up, always use was for the past indicative first and third person singular. That goes for whether it’s a simple verb or auxiliary. “I was ready to watch the Auburn Tigers win the game,” and “He was watching number two score the winning touchdown.”

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For the past indicative second person and all plural forms, use were. “They were in the stadium,” and “You were standing the whole game.” Also use were for the hypothetical or fantastical subjunctive mood for both singular and plural forms, as in “If they were to bring back popcorn, I would eat it.”

There was vs. there were

Was and were are also used in some instances with the pronoun there. This pronoun introduces a sentence or clause in which the verb comes before its subject (or those instances where the verb has no complement). When the subject that follows is singular, use was: When I opened the fridge, I found there was no more milk left. When the subject that follows is plural, use were: When I opened the fridge, I found there were no more eggs left.

In the end, yes, you were technically correct when you noted that the class lyric “I wish I was a little bit taller” should have been “I wish I were a little bit taller.” But don’t fret if you get it technically wrong at times. Were may be formally correct, but because the subjunctive mood has largely fallen out of common use, was may slip into yours and others’ speech at times.

Глаголы was и were – одни из самых частых слов в английском языке. Избежать их употребления практически невозможно. Они выступают не только как самостоятельные глаголы, но и участвуют в образовании других конструкций.

Понимать, когда употребляется was, а когда were, необходимо каждому, кто учит английский язык. Правила их использования несложные, но они могут зависеть от роли глагола в предложении.

Глаголы was и were участвуют в разных конструкциях и выступают в разном качестве. Случаи их употребления можно разделить на 5 типов: как глагол «быть», в согласовании времен, для образования Past Continuous, в пассивных конструкциях, в условных предложениях с if.

1. Глагол «быть»

Was и were в английском языке представляют собой две формы глагола to be (быть) в прошедшего времени. Различаются они по лицам и числам: в форме was глагол используется в единственном числе, кроме второго лица (местоимения you), were – во множественном числе и в единственном числе второго лица.

Правило was / were по таблице спряжения глагола to be в прошедшем времени:

Случаи использования глаголов в значении «быть» очень похожи с предложениями в русском языке. Для was / were употребление характерно при описании местонахождения, качеств, рода деятельности и других случаев:

The key was in the car – Ключ был в машине
George was tall and thin – Джордж был высокий и худой
I was a dancer – Я был танцором
Her name was Margaret – Ее звали Маргарет

В отрицании с частицей not глаголы могут принимать сокращенную форму wasn’t, weren’t. Частица not в таком случае примыкает к глаголу и теряет свой гласный «о»:

The key wasn’t in the car – Ключ не был в машине
They weren’t at home yesterday – Вчера они не были дома

Для глаголов was или were правило образования вопросительного предложения не требует использования дополнительного глагола to do (did в прошедшем времени).

Чтобы сделать из утвердительного предложения вопрос, достаточно переместить was / were на первое место во фразе. Тогда как для всех других глаголов нужно прибегать к помощи to do и уже его ставить на первое место. Сравним следующие примеры:

He was in the library (Он был в библиотеке) – Was he in the library? (Он был в библиотеке?)
He went to the library (Он ушел в библиотеку) – Did he go to the library? (Он ушел в библиотеку?)

Использовать оба глагола для образования вопросительного предложения нельзя. Такое предложение как «Did he be in the library?» будет грамматически неправильным.

Глагол to be активно используется в разнообразных конструкциях. Например, во фразах there was / there were. Такие конструкции указывают на факт существования предметов. Правило, когда употребляется was / were, здесь зависит только от числа объектов, о которых говорится в предложении:

There were six apples in the box – В коробке было 6 яблок
There was a very old house at the end of the street – В конце улицы был очень старый дом

Существуют также различные устойчивые выражения с глаголом «to be». Активно этот глагол используется в конструкциях, которые описывают состояние, характеристику или определенное качество. К таким фразам относятся to be interested in (интересоваться чем-то), to be in a hurry (торопиться), to be fond of (увлекаться чем-то), to be good at (хорошо разбираться, уметь), to be mistaken (заблуждаться) и многие другие. В предложениях с этими конструкциями могут употребляться различные лица глагола, поэтому здесь для was were используются те же правила из таблицы спряжения:

Michel was incredibly fond of dancing – Майкл был без ума от танцев

I thought you were in a hurry — Я думал, ты торопишься

I could rely on them because they were good at that job — Я мог на них положиться, потому что они хорошо выполняли свою работу

2. Согласование времен

Нельзя забывать и о правилах согласования времен в английском языке: в косвенной речи время придаточного предложения зависит от главного. Если главная часть говорится в прошедшем времени, то и в придаточном форма глагола to be изменяется на was / were. В русском языке нет согласования времен, поэтому для глагола не требуется форма прошедшего времени.

Betty said that you were thinking about buying a new house — Бетти сказала, что ты подумываешь о покупке нового дома

3. Вспомогательный глагол для времени Past Continuous

Другая роль глаголов was и were – служить средством для образования Past Continuous. Все времена Continuous образуются через глагол «to be» и причастие с окончанием ing. Вспомогательный глагол здесь не несет самостоятельного значения, а только принимает на себя грамматическую функцию, чтобы образовать нужную форму. В прошедшем времени глагол to be выглядит как was / were, поэтому формула образования Past Continuous имеет вид was/were + V-ing.

В различении между собой для were или was правило остается таким же, как оно описано выше, и зависит от числа и лица по таблице спряжения глагола to be.

I was packing my suitcases at this time – В это время я паковал чемоданы

They were walking together in the park – Они прогуливались вместе по парку

You were studying in your room when Mr. Grey arrived – Ты учился в своей комнате, когда приехал мистер Грей

4. Пассивные конструкции (образование страдательного залога)

Употребление was / were в английском языке характерно для создания пассивных конструкций в прошедшем времени. Образуются такие фразы через глагол to be и причастие прошедшего времени, которым выступает смысловой глагол. Для прошедшего времени формула образования пассива строится как was/were + V3.

Пассив (или страдательный залог) выводится из предложения в активной форме и используется в таких ситуациях, когда роль подлежащего исходного предложения не так важна. В активном залоге подлежащее описывает деятеля ситуации и выступает самым главным членом предложения. В страдательном залоге новым подлежащим оказывается тот объект, который испытывает действие на себе.

The problem was solved — Проблема была решена
Children were separated from their parents — Детей разлучили с родителями

Из примеров видно, что лицо и число этого нового подлежащего определяют, используем ли мы was или were. Неважно, из какой фразы получено пассивное предложение: форма глагола определяется подлежащим в данной фразе.

После преобразования предложения в пассив исходное подлежащее может полностью исчезать из предложения или выступать в менее значимой позиции (например, в функции дополнения). Проиллюстрируем оба случая примерами:

He wrote a letter (Он написал письмо) – The letter was written (Письмо было написано): подлежащее he (он) из первого предложения полностью исчезает во втором.

The President approved this law two months ago (Президент одобрил этот закон два месяца назад) – This law was approved by the President two months ago (Этот закон был одобрен президентом два месяца назад): подлежащее первого предложения the President (Президент) не исчезает, но перестает быть главным членом и из подлежащего превращается в дополнение.

Если активный участник действия остается в предложении, он может обозначаться через предлог by. В предложении может также фигурировать предлог with: он относится к неодушевленным предметам и обозначает инструмент, с помощью которого действие было выполнено.

This house was chosen by my mother — Этот дом выбран моей мамой
The bread was cut with a knife — Хлеб был порезан ножом

5. Условные предложения

Условные предложения делятся на различные типы. Второй тип, в котором появляется нетипичное употребление глагола were, строится по схеме if + Past + should/would + Vinf.

Такие условные предложения описывают нереальную ситуацию, которая, скорее всего, никогда не осуществится. Употребляя эту конструкцию, говорящий высказывает явные сомнения, что ситуация возможна в реальности.

В условных предложениях для глаголов was и were правила отличаются от всех рассмотренных раньше примеров: во всех числах и лицах употребляется только форма were. Глагол were появляется в придаточной части предложения, если в конструкции должен быть использован смысловой глагол to be. Was в английском языке в таком типе условной конструкции не используется.

If I were a king I wouldn’t need such a pompous palace — Если бы я был королем, мне бы не понадобился такой помпезный дворец.

Особенность условных конструкций с if заключается еще и в том, что глагол were в них появляется, когда указанная ситуация относится к плану настоящего или будущего времени, а не прошедшего.

If we were in Paris now I would show you the Eiffel Tower — Если бы мы сейчас были в Париже, я бы показал тебе Эйфелеву башню.