Simple Past Tense with verb to BE (was/were)

Simple Past Tense with verb to BE (was/were) 

Simple past tense with was and were is used to talk about the situation that happened and finished at a specific time in the past. This post will discuss 4 basic forms of simple past tense with was and were along with easy examples.

Note : A complement can be a noun, adjective or a prepositional phrase. 

Noun : A noun refers to names of a person, animal, thing, place or an idea.

• Person : teacher, student, singer, Mr. Sovath
• Thing : table, chair, plane, bus, map
• Place: Phnom Penh, Siemreap province, sea, lake, beach
• Idea: happiness, Education, laziness

Adjective : An adjective is used to describe a noun. It is the quality so we cannot touch.

• good
• bad
• nice
• beautiful
• comfortable

Prepositional Phrase : It is a combination of a preposition with other words.

• on the table

• in the classroom

• under the chair

• above our head

• at the supermarket

Positive

 [ Sub + was / were + complement + past expression.]

Example

• He was absent yesterday.

• There were students in 2000.

• She was at home last week.

• The weather was very bad yesterday.

Negative 

 [ Sub + wasn't/ weren't + complement + past expression.]

Example

• He wasn't absent yesterday.

• There weren't born in 2000.

• She wasn't at home last week.

• The weather wasn't good yesterday.

Yes / Question

[ Was / were + sub + complement + past expression? ] 

Example

• Was he absent yesterday?

• Were they students in 2000?

• Was she at homme last week?

• Was the weather bad yesterday? 

Wh-Question

[ Wh-word + was / were + (sub) + complement + past expression? ] 

Example

• Who was absent yesterday?

• When were they born?

• Where was she last week?

• What was the weather like yesterday?

Practice 1

📚 Grammar Quiz

Simple Past Tense: Was/Were

Score: 0/10

1 Gap Fill

Yesterday, I _____ at the library studying for my exam.

2 Multiple Choice

The children _____ playing in the park when it started raining.

3 Gap Fill

She _____ very tired after the long journey.

4 Multiple Choice

You _____ late for the meeting yesterday.

5 Gap Fill

We _____ at home during the storm last night.

6 Multiple Choice

The movie _____ really exciting!

7 Gap Fill

My friends _____ surprised by the party.

8 Multiple Choice

It _____ a beautiful sunny day yesterday.

9 Gap Fill

The students _____ ready for the test.

10 Multiple Choice

He _____ not feeling well this morning.

Practice 2