What’s the difference between was vs. were? Understanding the proper use of “was” and “were” is essential for anyone who wants to write grammatically correct English. These two words are past tense forms of the verb “to be,” and they are used to describe actions or states that have already occurred. However, their usage can get a little tricky when it comes to hypothetical situations or wishes.
Was vs. Were
Was and were are both past tense forms of the verb “to be.” Was is used for singular subjects, while were is used for plural subjects. For example, “I was” is correct for a singular subject, while “we were” is correct for a plural subject.
When to Use Was vs. Were
The choice between was vs. were depends on the subject of the sentence. If the subject is singular, use was. If the subject is plural, use were.
Here are the forms of “was” and “were” for each subject:
- I – was
- You – were
- He/she/it – was
- We – were
- They – were
There are some exceptions to this rule, however. For example, when expressing a hypothetical situation or a wish, were is often used with a singular subject. For example, “If I were rich, I would buy a yacht.”
Here are some examples of correct usage of was vs. were:
- “She was happy to see her friend.” (singular subject)
- “They were excited to go on vacation.” (plural subject)
- “If I were taller, I could reach the top shelf.” (hypothetical situation)
- “We wish we were there with you.” (wish)
Last Updated on January 14, 2026
