be - past tense
Level One
Lesson 9: be — past tense
When the verb “be” is in the past tense, it takes two different forms: was and were. (CEFR: A1)
The subject determines the verb. I was / You were
This lesson is in three parts: 9, 9a (negatives), and 9b (questions). After you finish the lesson, you can take Quiz #9 – the past tense.
9. be - past tense
Singular
I was ______.
You were ______.
He was ______.
She was ______.
It was ______.
Plural
We were ______.
You were ______.
They were ______
After the verb, you may use a subject complement (adjective or noun). an adverb, or a prepositional phrase.
9. be - past tense
- I was your teacher last year.
- You were my student.
- It was cold outside yesterday.
- I was outside.
- There was snow on the ground.
- He was a student.
- There were other students in the room.
- They were all in a classroom.
- It was warm in the classroom.
- The teacher was somewhere in the classroom.
9. There was / There were
To introduce the existence of something in the past, use “there” + “was” or “were.”
Singular
There was…
There was a class yesterday.
There was a beautiful sunset.
There was a loud sound.
Plural
There were…
There were 20 students in class.
There were eggs on the table.
There were some problems.
Are you ready for an exercise?
Directions: Write the correct form of the verb “be” in the past tense: was or were.
You __________ at home this morning.
My wife __________ at work.
The lights __________ on this morning.
The cat __________ at the door.
Our books __________ on the shelf.
The information __________ available online.
The water __________ very hot.
The bread _________ on the table.
Several trucks __________ outside.
There __________ a problem with the car.
In Lesson 9a, you will learn how to make the verb “be” negative in the past tense.