Was/were – past simple of ‘be’

Grammar chart showing the use of 'was' and 'were' in positive, negative, and question forms, including short answers and common mistakes for the past simple of 'be'.

The negative short forms of was not and were not are wasn’t and weren’t, but there are no short forms of was and were in affirmative sentences.

Was/were – Use

Was/were are the past forms of am/is/are. Present: am/is = past: was. Present: are = past: were.

We use was/were to talk about the past. We often use past expressions of time: yesterday, last night, last week, two months ago, etc.

We use was/were in the expression was/were born. The expression be born is always past (NOT present): was/were born.

‘Where were you born?’ ‘I was born in Sweden.’
‘Where are you born?’ ‘I am born in Sweden.’
Mozart was born in 1756.

Check the list of all our A1 grammar contents.

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