Simple explanation
What are was and were? Was and were are the past forms of the verb be. In the present, we use am, is, and are. When we talk about the past, these forms change to was and were. We use them to talk about past situations, feelings, places, ages, and states. When do we use was? We use was with I, he, she, and it. Was describes something that was true or happened in the past. For example: I was tired. She was at home. When do we use were? We use were with you, we, and they. Remember that you always uses were, even when we talk about one person. Positive, negative, and question forms In positive sentences, was or were comes after the subject. In negative sentences, we add not. In questions, was or were moves to the beginning of the sentence.
Grammar formula
Positive sentence
Subject + was/were + complementShe was happy.
Negative sentence
Subject + was/were + not + complementThey were not late.
Question sentence
Was/Were + subject + complement?Were you at school?
Core rules
- 1
Using was
Use was with I, he, she, and it: I was, he was, she was, it was.
- 2
Using were
Use were with you, we, and they: you were, we were, they were.
- 3
Negative sentences
Add not after was or were. The short forms are wasn't and weren't.
- 4
Questions
Put was or were before the subject to make a question: Was he tired? Were they ready?
Useful examples
I was tired after work.
I was tired after work.
Use was because the subject is I.
She was at the supermarket yesterday.
She was at the supermarket yesterday.
She uses was in the past.
They were excited about the trip.
They were excited about the trip.
They always uses were.
We were friends many years ago.
We were friends many years ago.
We needs were in past sentences.
He was my teacher last year.
He was my teacher last year.
He is followed by was.
You were very helpful yesterday.
You were very helpful yesterday.
You always takes were, even for one person.
It was cold this morning.
It was cold this morning.
It uses was in the past.
I wasn't ready for the exam.
I wasn't ready for the exam.
Wasn't means was not.
Were they at the restaurant?
Were they at the restaurant?
Were comes before they in questions.
Was your brother at home?
Was your brother at home?
Use was with he, she, and it subjects in questions.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I were happy yesterday. ✅ I was happy yesterday. I always uses was, not were.
- ❌ They was late. ✅ They were late. They needs were in the past.
- ❌ She were my teacher. ✅ She was my teacher. She uses was.
- ❌ Was they at school? ✅ Were they at school? They requires were in questions.
- ❌ I didn't was tired. ✅ I wasn't tired. The verb be does not use did for past negatives.
Learning tips
- Remember: I/he/she/it → was.
- Remember: you/we/they → were.
- Do not use did with was and were.
- Past time expressions like yesterday, last week, and ago often appear with was and were.
- Learn was and were together with their subjects.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between was and were?
Both are past forms of be. Was is used with I, he, she, and it. Were is used with you, we, and they.
Can I use did with was and were?
No. The verb be makes past questions and negatives without did.
Why do we say You were, not You was?
Because you always uses were in the past, whether it means one person or more than one person.
When do I use was and were?
Use them when you talk about a past state, place, feeling, age, or situation.