Was/were – past simple of ‘be’

Grammar chart showing the use of 'was' and 'were' in positive, negative, and question forms, including short answers <a href= and common mistakes for the past simple of 'be'." width="500" height="500" />

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.

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