When to use were or was?

Untangling “Was” and “Were”: A Simple Guide to Past Tense Agreement

Choosing between “was” and “were” can feel like navigating a grammatical minefield. Both are past tense forms of the verb “to be,” but knowing which one to use depends on understanding subject-verb agreement. The core concept is simple: singular subjects pair with “was,” while plural subjects pair with “were.” Let’s break it down further.

The Foundation: Singular vs. Plural

Before diving into “was” and “were,” ensure you can identify singular and plural nouns. A singular noun refers to one thing (a book, a dog, a person), while a plural noun refers to more than one (books, dogs, people). This distinction is crucial.

“Was”: The Singular Sidekick

Use “was” when the subject of your sentence is singular. This applies to:

• Singular Nouns: “The book was interesting.” “My cat was sleeping on the couch.” “The decision was difficult to make.”
• Singular Pronouns: ” He was happy.” ” She was late.” ” It was raining.”
• Uncountable Nouns (often treated as singular): “The information was helpful.” “The music was loud.” “The research was extensive.”
• Singular Indefinite Pronouns: ” Each person was given a ticket.” ” Everyone was invited.” (Note: While “everyone” implies a group, grammatically it’s singular.)

“Were”: The Plural Partner

Use “were” when the subject of your sentence is plural. This applies to:

• Plural Nouns: “The books were stacked on the table.” “My cats were fighting.” “The decisions were made hastily.”
• Plural Pronouns: ” They were excited.” ” We were tired.” ” You were right.” (Note: “You” always takes “were,” even when referring to one person.)
• Plural Indefinite Pronouns: ” Few were chosen.” ” Both were invited.” ” Many were present.”

Examples to Illustrate the Difference:

Let’s look at how the singular/plural distinction affects the choice between “was” and “were”:

• “The single page was torn.” (Singular: one page)
• “The remaining pages were untouched.” (Plural: multiple pages)
• “One person was chosen for the role.” (Singular)
• “Several people were nominated.” (Plural)
• “The dog was barking loudly.” (Singular)
• “The dogs were barking at the mailman.” (Plural)

Special Cases and Considerations:

• “There” as an Expletive: Sentences beginning with “There” often use “was” or “were” based on the noun that follows. “There was a problem.” “There were several issues.”
• “One of those who…” Constructions: Pay attention to the subject of the “who” clause. “He is one of those people who were invited.” (People = plural subject)
• Conditional Statements (Subjunctive Mood): In hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations, “were” is used for all subjects, even singular ones. “If I were you, I would apologize.” (Even though “I” is singular, “were” is correct here.)

Practice Makes Perfect:

Mastering “was” and “were” comes with practice. Pay close attention to the subjects in your sentences and consciously choose the verb that agrees with them. With a little diligence, you’ll find yourself navigating this grammatical nuance with ease and confidence. So, embrace the challenge, analyze your sentences, and let your subject-verb agreement shine!