A

The verb be in the past simple has two forms: was, were. There is no affirmative short form.

 

Affirmative

 

I was

You were

He / She / It was                            at home yesterday

We / You / They were

 

I was on holiday in June.

They were really interested in our project.

 

B

 

Negative
Full form	Short form
I was not	I wasn’t
You were not	You weren’t	at home yesterday
He / She / It was not	He / She / It wasn’t
We / You / They were not	We / You / They weren’t

 

Full form: Subject + was / were + not

Short form: Subject + wasn’t / weren’t

 

The short form is the most common.

The weather wasn’t very good yesterday. We weren’t ready yet.

 

C

Interrogative	Negative questions
Was I	Wasn’t I
Were you	Weren’t you	at home yesterday?
Was he / she / it	Wasn’t he / she / it
Were we / you / they	Weren’t we / you / they

 

Questions with the verb be in the past simple are formed using: Was / Were + subject (noun or pronoun)

Was it a good match? Were your parent happy with your exam results?

 

D

Short answers are formed using: Yes, / No, + subject pronoun + was / were / wasn’t / weren’t.

‘Were you on the phone?’ ‘Yes, I was. I was speaking to Jo.’

 

E

Wh- questions are formed using: Question word + was / were + subject (noun or pronoun)

What was the weather like? Where were you?

 

F

The past simple of be is used to describe events or situations in the past.

It was a great party. But you weren’t there.

Marie Curie was a great scientist.

 

The verb be born is usually used in the past as well.

‘Where were you born?’ ‘I was born in Leeds.’

 

G

There was / there were…

‘Were there many guests?’ ‘Yes, there were quite a few.’