Learn how to use was and were to talk about past events, states, conditions, feelings, quantities and more. Find examples, patterns, exceptions and quizzes to practice this grammar point. Additionally, “ were ” is used in the subjunctive mood to describe hypothetical situations, wishes, or uncertain events. This is often seen in sentences starting with “if” or expressions of wishing. Hypothetical situations (“If I were king, I would…”) Wishes (“I wish it were not so.”) To ensure clarity and correctness, it is essential to choose “was” or “ were ” depending on the subject and the context of the sentence. Understanding Past Tense and Mood In the English ... What’s the difference between was vs. were ? Understanding the proper use of “was” and “ were ” is essential for anyone who wants to write grammatically correct English. These two words are past tense forms of the verb “to be,” and they are used to describe actions or states that have already occurred. However, their usage can get a little tricky when it comes to hypothetical situations or wishes. Many people get confused about when to use “was” and when to use “ were .” It ... You might say, “ You were learning English when you first arrived in the United States.” This sentence is the second person past tense form. Similarly, you can say, “ We were learning English when we first arrived in the United States.” This is also in the second person past tense form, but rather than singular (you), using “we” indicates more than one or plural. If you write the same sentence and use “they,” you are still writing in the past tense form and thus need to use ...
