What is difference between was and were
by Yogi P - October 19, 2023
Was vs. Were: Exploring the Difference
Confusion over the appropriate use of was and were comes up often in both written and spoken English. In this article, we’ll take a look at both words and examine the situations in which each is used.
Was
The word was is an auxiliary verb, which means that it’s a supporting verb used to indicate the state of the subject in a particular sentence. As a past tense verb, was is most commonly used with the simple past tense and the past continuous tense. For example:
- The cat was sleeping on the couch.
- He was running in the park when it started raining.
Were
The word were is also an auxiliary verb, commonly used to indicate the “second person singular and plural and first and third person plural” present tense. In other words, it’s used when speaking in the “plural” tense. For example:
- We were dinner on the beach.
- You were late for the appointment.
Difference between Was and Were: Meaning and Usage
The main difference between these two common English terms is the form of the verb being used. Was is used in the singular first person, second person, and third person tenses, while were is used in the plural first person, second person, and third person tenses.
It’s important to note that the words was and were can often be used interchangeably in certain contexts, especially in questions and negative sentences. For example:
- He was late for the appointment.
- He were late for the appointment.
In the case of affirmative sentences, however, was is usually used for singular subjects and were is usually used for plural subjects. For example:
- The cat was snoozing on the couch.
- The kittens were playing in the garden.
Examples of Difference between Was and Were
To further illustrate the difference between these two words, let’s look at some more examples from everyday life.
- The students were studying for the test when their teacher entered the room.
- My brother was making dinner in the kitchen when I arrived.
- The librarian was explaining the cataloguing system to the class.
- The couple were walking in the park when they spotted a shooting star.
Overview of differences between was and were | Was vs Were
| Aspect | Was | Were |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Forms | – “Was” is the past tense form of the verb “be” for the first and third-person singular (I, he, she, it). – It is also used for singular nouns. | – “Were” is the past tense form of the verb “be” for the second-person singular (you) and all plural forms (we, they). – It is also used for plural nouns. |
| Tense | – “Was” is used in the past tense to indicate a state of being or action in the past for singular subjects. | – “Were” is used in the past tense to indicate a state of being or action in the past for plural subjects. |
| Examples | – She was at the party last night. (past tense with a singular subject) – It was a beautiful day. (past tense with a singular subject) | – They were at the park yesterday. (past tense with a plural subject) – We were studying for the exam. (past tense with a plural subject) |
| Use | – “Was” is used to describe actions or states that occurred in the past with singular subjects. | – “Were” is used to describe actions or states that occurred in the past with plural subjects. |
| Subject Agreement | “Was” agrees with singular subjects. | “Were” agrees with plural subjects. |
| Negative Form | “Was” can be negated as “wasn’t” in the past tense. | “Were” can be negated as “weren’t” in the past tense. |
Activity to Enhance Understanding
For a quick way to sharpen your understanding of when to use was and were, try this activity: the next time you come across a text that uses these two words, analyze it to pinpoint how they’re being used. Pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and whether it is singular or plural.
This exercise will help you easily identify when was and were should be used in a sentence.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember the distinction between was and were in order to use them accurately and make sure that your writing is properly formed. Was is used for singular subjects, while were is used for plural subjects.
In questions and negative sentences, both can often be interchanged without consequence. Practicing with examples and trying the activity outlined above will help you strengthen your understanding of these two words.
