A1 Beginner Past simple of be
Past simple of to be
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can describe the past with to be, without mixing up was and were.
When to use it
- Saying where you were: I was at home yesterday.
- Describing past feelings and qualities: The film was very good.
- Ages and times: He was born in 2010.
Form
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| I | am | was |
| He · She · It | is | was |
| You · We · They | are | were |
| Negative | wasn't · weren't | |
| Question | Was / Were + S …? |
Step by step
- Look at the subject.
- I, he, she, it → was.
- you, we, they → were.
- For negatives add n't; for questions move was/were to the front.
Past-time signals
| Signal | Example |
|---|---|
| yesterday | I was busy yesterday. |
| last night · last week · last year | We were in Hue last summer. |
| … ago | She was here two hours ago. |
| in + year | He was born in 2010. |
| when I was young | When I was six, I was very shy. |
Examples
I was at home yesterday.
She was at the party last night.
We were in Da Nang last summer.
They were very tired after the trip.
The weather was terrible last week.
My friends weren't at home.
Were you at school yesterday?
Was the film good?
Common mistakes
They was very happy. → They were very happy.
They is plural, so it takes were.
I were at home. → I was at home.
I always takes was, even though it looks similar to you.
You was late. → You were late.
you always takes were, even when speaking to one person.
Memory tip
Learn them as groups: was for I, he, she, it — all singular. were for you, we, they. you is always were, one person or many.
Summary
- I, he, she, it → was · you, we, they → were.
- Negative: wasn't · weren't.
- Question: move Was/Were to the front.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.