WAS and WERE-THE PAST SIMPLE OF TO BE

The Past simple of To Be – was and were

The verb To Be has two forms in past simple tense – was and were. We use was when we talk about one person or thing.

Example: John was at the library yesterday. The bus was late this morning

We use were when we talk about two or more people or things.

Example: The kids were in their room an hour ago. The cars were in front of our house a minute ago.

Note that when we talk about “you”, we use “were” no matter if we mean one person or more people.

Example: Jim, you were great! Kids, you were great!

The forms of the verb To Be in past simple tense – was and were can also be used as auxiliary(helping) verbs to form the Past continuous tense.

Example: He was reading when I got home.

You can do the quiz – was or were here: