Use was when the subject is a singular noun. Was is also used with I, he, she and it.
Use were when the subject is a plural noun. Were is also used with they, we and you.
Complete the following sentences with was/were.
1I ............... hungry.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "I" in this past-tense sentence.
2The boy ............... sleeping.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "the boy".
3We ............... waiting for them.
Wrong!
Use "were" with the plural subject "we".
4The girls ............... singing.
Wrong!
Use "were" with the plural subject "the girls".
5The peacock ............... dancing.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "the peacock".
6It ............... getting dark.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "it".
7She ............... upset.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "she".
8You ............... playing with your friends.
Wrong!
Use "were" with the subject "you" in the past tense.
9They ............... working on an important project.
Wrong!
Use "were" with the plural subject "they".
10Samuel ............... anxious to leave.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "Samuel".
11James and John ............... playing chess.
Wrong!
Use "were" with the compound plural subject "James and John".
12Maria ............... listening to a song.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "Maria".
13The princess was beautiful, but the frog ............... ugly.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "the frog".
14The dogs ............... barking.
Wrong!
Use "were" with the plural subject "the dogs".
15I ............... reading a detective novel.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "I" in this past continuous sentence.
16Yamuna ............... playing with her daughter.
Wrong!
Use "was" with the singular subject "Yamuna".
Answers
- I was hungry.
- The boy was sleeping.
- We were waiting for them.
- The girls were singing.
- The peacock was dancing.
- It was getting dark.
- She was upset.
- You were playing with your friends.
- They were working on an important project.
- Samuel was anxious to leave.
- James and John were playing chess.
- Maria was listening to a song.
- The princess was beautiful, but the frog was ugly.
- The dogs were barking.
- I was reading a detective novel.
- Yamuna was playing with her daughter.
