In English grammar, helping verbs are used to indicate the sense of a tense that either the sentence is affirmative, negative or form a question. Here some examples of helping verbs by showing the use of was and were has been discussed.
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USE OF “WAS & WERE”
- When singular subject is present in a sentence, we use “was” and for plural subject, we use “were”
- In a negative sentence, we use “not” after “was and were”
- In a sentence, when there is indication about “time” & “weather”, we use “it” as a subject
- In interrogative sentences, we use “was & were” in beginning of the sentence and after that “subject” is used.
- While making interrogative sentence, use “?” at the end of sentence.
The table given below shows the use of helping verbs with nouns and pronouns:
I was |
You were |
She was |
Anna was |
We were |
He was |
It was |
They were |
Note: Use “was” with singular name like John, Maria, Anna
Use “were” with plural names like John and Maria, Anna and John
Affirmative Sentences
- He was very rich.
- I was tired.
- The fish was not in the basket.
- You were present yesterday.
- It was an elephant.
- They were jokers.
- We were poor
- I was a student.
- He was a driver.
- We were going there.
- You were a thief.
- He was a criminal.
- John and Maria were friends.
- They were best friends
- I was a guard in this company.
Negative Sentences
- He was not rich.
- It was not a dog.
- They were not students.
- You were not poor.
- It was not an elephant.
- She was not doctor.
- I was not fool.
- He was not a thief.
- Johan and Maria were not friends.
- I was not sleeping.
- The Clock was not out of order.
- The ships were not grazing in the ground.
- He was not having a milk bottle.
- You were not a good driver.
- I was not a good swimmer.
Interrogative Sentences
- Were the grapes sour?
- Was the book on the table?
- Was your brother ill yesterday?
- Was Keats a great poet?
- Were they students?
- Was he a teacher?
- Were they poor?
- Were you a good driver?
- Was I a good swimmer?
- Were John and Maria gone?
- Was I sleeping?
- Were they best friends?
- Was the fish in the basket?
- Were you present yesterday?
- Was he criminal?
Was, Were Worksheet
- John _____________ a nice person. (was)
- Rooms _________ were airy. (were)
- We _______ brave. (were)
- She _________ a nurse. (was)
- They _________ students. (were)
- He _________ happy. (was)
- It _________ very cold. (was)
- She _______ angry. (was)
- Our cities _______ clean (were)
- You ________ going there. (were)
- I _______ a good student. (was)
- You ______ a good swimmer. (were)
- The fish _________ in the basket. (was)
- He __________ a teacher. (was)
- I ________ a police man. (was)
Q No.2: Change into negative:
1. |
He was at home |
He was not at home. |
2. |
He was a gentle man |
He was not a gentleman. |
3. |
They were students |
They were not students. |
4. |
She was a nurse |
She was not a nurse. |
5. |
I was a boy |
I was not a boy. |
6. |
It was a dark night |
It was not a dark night. |
7. |
I was alone at home. |
I was not alone at home. |
Q No.2: Change into interrogative:
1. |
You were brave |
Were you brave? |
2. |
Anna was a rich lady |
Was Anna a rich lady? |
3. |
This book was mine |
Was this book mine? |
4. |
We were in the bus |
Were we in the bus? |
5. |
It was a cow |
Was it a cow? |
6. |
They were students |
Were they students? |
7. |
It was a cold morning |
Was it a cold morning? |
Download: Was, Were Worksheet
Further Reading