This document provides information about using the past simple tense of the verb "to be" in English. It gives the positive and negative forms of the past simple of "to be" for singular and plural subjects. Examples are provided to illustrate how to use "was" and "were" correctly in sentences and questions when talking about past states or locations. Key uses of "was" and "were" in the simple past are modeled for students.

1. The Past
Simple Tense:
to be
by Irina Kassay

2. was, werewas, were
I am nine now.
I was eight lest year.

3. Past Simple of to be
(singular)
Past Simple of to be
(singular)
I was
He was
She was
It was

4. Past Simple of to be (plural)Past Simple of to be (plural)
We were
You were
They were

5. Fill the baskets!Fill the baskets!
She Boys We Max Pupils
Kate
was were

6. Complete the sentences with
was or were
Complete the sentences with
was or were
He ______ in the mountains.
They ______ at home.
I ______ at school.
She ______ at her granny’s.
We ______ in the hotel.
You ______ at the camp.
was
were
was
was
were
were

7. Past Simple of to be (-)Past Simple of to be (-)
I was not
You were not
He was not was not=wasn’t
She was not
It was not
We were not were not=weren’t
You were not

8. Make the sentences
negative.
Make the sentences
negative.
He was in London.
He was not in London.
My parents were in the mountains.
My parents were not in the mountains.
The hotel was comfortable.
The hotel was not comfortable.
We were in the park.
We were not in the park.
Jane was in the zoo.
Jane was not in the zoo.

9. Past Simple of to be (?)Past Simple of to be (?)
I I
she Yes, he was.
Was he at school? No, she wasn’t
it it
we we
Were you at school? Yes, you were.
they No, they weren’t.

10. Complete the Questions with
was and were.
Complete the Questions with
was and were.
________ you in the zoo?
________ the children at school?
________ the weather fine?
________ it sunny yesterday?
________ they at the camp last summer?
________ he in the hotel?
________ the room comfortable?
Were
Were
Was
Was
Was
Was
Were