"Be" verbs indicate a state of being. "Be" verbs in the past tense indicate that a state of being that has happened. They must match the subjects. "Be" verbs are "was" and "were". "Was" is used with "I", "he", "she", or "it". "Were" is used with "we", "they", and "you".
"Be" verbs - Past Tense- I was a student.
- I was strong.
- She was a teacher.
- He was funny.
- It was hot.
- We were happy.
- They were sad.
- You were alone.
"Be" verbs in the past tense can be turned into negative sentences.
Negative sentences need "not" after the "be" verb.
- I was not a student.
- I was not strong.
- She was not a teacher.
- He was not funny.
- It was not hot.
- We were not happy.
- They were not sad.
- You were not a clown.
"Be" verbs in the past tense can be turned into questions.
The "be" verb comes first in these sentences. They always end with a question mark (?).
- Was I wrong?
- Was I strong?
- Was she a teacher?
- Was he funny?
- Was it hot?
- Were we happy?
- Were they sad?
- Were you a clown?
Directions: Fill in the blanks with either "were" or "was"
1) I __________ hungry.
2) They __________ not here.
3) You __________ alone.
4) She __________ not short.
5) He __________ tall.
6) I __________ not scared.
7) She __________ a doctor.
8) He __________ not a lawyer.
9) We __________ angry.
10) They __________ late.
11) We __________ not surprised.
12) It __________ cold.
13) You __________ not a plumber.
14) It __________ not an animal.
Directions: Rewrite each sentence using the word "not"
1) I was tired.
2) I was a construction worker.
3) She was disappointed.
4) He was a friend.
5) It was windy.
Quiz 1 Answers
1) was
2) were
3) were
4) was
5) was
6) was
7) was
8) was
9) were
10) were
11) were
12) was
13) were
14) was
Quiz 2 Answers
1) I was not tired.
2) I was not a construction worker.
3) She was not disappointed.
4) He was not a friend.
5) It was not windy.
