Intermediate … min read · Updated 2026-06-20

Past Simple of "To Be"

The past of "to be" is was / were — for things that were true before, in the past.

SubjectPastExample
I / He / She / ItwasI was at school yesterday.
You / We / TheywereThey were happy.

Negative: wasn't, weren't. Question: Was he late? Were you there?

It was cold last night.

We were at home.

She wasn't ready.

Use was with I/he/she/it and were with you/we/they. Pair them with past time words: yesterday, last week, ago.

Common mistake: "We was" is incorrect. Use we were, you were, they were.

✏️ Test Yourself

1. He ___ at home.

2. They ___ late.

3. I ___ tired last night.

4. You ___ right.

📒 Words to learn

Gabble (v)
Balochi
لبّجگ
Urdu
بکواس کرنا

The parrot would gabble all day long.

Society (n)
Balochi
چاگرد
Urdu
معاشرہ

We live together in a society with our neighbors.

Moustache (n)
Balochi
بّروت
Urdu
مونچھ

Grandpa has a long white moustache.

Beard (n)
Balochi
رشِ
Urdu
داڑھی

His beard was long and bushy.

No-show (n)
Balochi
کار دُز
Urdu
کام چور

There was a no-show at the party; they didn't come.

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