Practical usage was/were
Was/were is used to indicate the presence or absence(existence/nonexistence)of someone or something in the past- time.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
| First person | I was | We were |
| Second Person | You were | You were |
| Third person | He/She/it was | They were |
Third person includes all the common nouns proper nouns, pronouns, collective nouns etc., For full explanation of first second and third person and subject, please go the grammar page.
was/were with information/message
Julia was in Australia last week.
They were busy last night.
Difference between am/is/are (Present) and was/ were (past)
Julia was in Australia now. (Present) Julia was in Australia last week. (Past) - Past time indication is important.
Structure of five important types of spoken sentences.
Simple sentence - Subject + was/were + information. (Milan was late yesterday.)
Negative sentence - subject + wasn’t/weren’t + information.(Milan wasn’t late yesterday)
‘yes/no’question - was/were + subject + information.(Was Milan late yesterday?)
'yes/no' negative question - wasn’t/weren’t + Subject +I information.(Wasn’t Milan late yesterday?)
‘Wh’ question - ‘wh’ word + was/were + subject + information. (Why was Milan late yesterday?)
All the five types of the above sentences can be spoken in one or more moods of utterance.
More sentences (mixed)
The weather was good yesterday.
Weren’t you at home last night? I was.
Why was Jane late yesterday?
Was it cold last night? Terribly cold. (‘it’ is a dummy subject, explanation in grammar page)
Those books are good. Were they expensive?
Last year Harry was 24 now he is 25.
Was/were with passive voice
e.g She was given medicine yesterday.
Structure
Simple sentence – subject + was/were + past participle verb + information + past (time) indication. e.g She was given medicine yesterday.
Five important types of spoken sentences.
Simple sentence - Julia was born in 1985.
Negative sentence – Julia wasn’t born in 1985.
‘yes/no’ question – Was Julia born in 1985?
Negative ‘yes/no’ question – Wasn’t Julia born in 1985?
‘wh’ question – When was Julia born?
All the five types can be spoken in eight or more moods of utterance
More sentences (mixed)
Words in parentheses are not part of this structure. The verbs used here have pastparticiple form.
She was told (to wait in college this morning.)
We were asked (to visit once again.)
Ann and Joe were awarded degrees.
Why wasn’t she given admission?
Weren’t you invited? (to the party last night)
Where were you born?
Was/were with short responses
She was injured – wasn’t she? (I/We believe that she was injured)
They weren’t invited – were they?
You were shocked – weren’t you?
She was discharged – wasn’t she?
Julia was given admission –wasn’t she
Was/were in the news
The president was advised (to avoid travel).
Prices of essentials were raised.
Minister was acquitted (of all charges.)
The business delegation was given a warm welcome.
The Max music event was rescheduled.
Conversation
Con - 1
A - Where were you yesterday.
B - I was at Bay’s.
A - I suppose you were busy.
B - you are right, I was given the charge of the event.
A - Was Martin with you yesterday?
B – No I think he… he was with the boss.
Con - 2
A- When was it (Museum) built?
B- It was built 200 years ago.
A- Who built it?
B- It was built by a business man..
A- Was he a native?
B- No he was a migrant.
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