Were or Was – Which One Should You Use?

Have you ever paused mid-sentence and wondered: should it be were or was? This is a common question for students, writers, ESL learners, and even professionals trying to write clearly. Choosing the wrong form can make your writing sound awkward, confuse readers, or even change the meaning of your sentence.

The confusion comes from English grammar rules about past tense forms of the verb “to be”. “Was” and “were” are both past tense, but they are used differently depending on the subject and context. For example, some people hesitate when using “if I were” versus “if I was,” which can be tricky in formal writing.

This guide will solve your confusion by providing a quick answer, explaining the origin of these words, showing their everyday usage, highlighting common mistakes, and even giving advice based on your audience. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use were and was, making your writing clearer, more professional, and grammatically correct.

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Were or Was – Quick Answer

Quick rule:

• Was → Used with singular subjects (I, he, she, it) in past tense.
• Were → Used with plural subjects (we, you, they) and in conditional or hypothetical sentences.

Examples:

• I was at the store yesterday.
• He was very tired after work.
• We were excited about the trip.
• If I were rich, I would travel the world.

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The Origin of Were or Was

The words was and were come from the Old English verb “wesan”, meaning “to be.” Over time, English developed different past forms for singular and plural subjects.

• Was comes from Old English wæs, used for singular forms.
• Were comes from Old English wæron, used for plural and subjunctive forms.

The distinction has stayed in modern English to indicate singular vs plural and real vs hypothetical situations.

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British English vs American English Usage

Interestingly, both British and American English follow the same rules for “were” and “was.” The main difference is that some informal American English speakers occasionally use “was” instead of “were” in conditional sentences, though it is technically incorrect.

Comparison Table:

Subject	Correct Form	Example (US & UK)
I / he / she / it	was	She was at home.
We / you / they	were	They were at the party.
Hypothetical / conditional	were	If I were taller, I could play basketball.

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Which Should You Use?

• Formal writing / education → Always use standard rules: singular → was, plural → were, conditional → were.
• US audience (informal speech) → Some may say “if I was,” but “if I were” is preferred in writing.
• UK / Commonwealth audience → Strict grammar: “if I were” is standard.
• Global audience / SEO content → Stick to correct grammar to maintain professionalism.

Tip: Consistency is more important than regional quirks.

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Common Mistakes with Were or Was

❌ Using “was” for plural subjects
✔️ Correct: We were happy, not We was happy.

❌ Forgetting the subjunctive in hypotheticals
✔️ Correct: If he were here…, not If he was here… (formal writing)

❌ Mixing forms in one sentence
✔️ Keep singular/plural consistent with the subject.

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Were or Was in Everyday Examples

Emails:

• I was unable to attend the meeting yesterday.
• You were correct about the schedule.

News Articles:

• The team was awarded first place.
• Thousands were affected by the storm.

Social Media:

• I was so excited about the concert!
• We were all laughing at that video.

Formal Writing:

• If the proposal were approved, profits would increase.
• She was recognized for her contribution to research.

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Were or Was – Google Trends & Usage Data

• Both were and was are widely searched keywords, mainly by students and ESL learners.
• “Was” is more commonly used due to singular forms appearing more frequently.
• “Were” often spikes around grammar lessons or formal writing tutorials.
• Usage is consistent across US, UK, Canada, and Australia, though informal American English sometimes uses “was” in place of “were” in conditional sentences.

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Comparison Table – Were / Was Variations

Variation	Correct	Usage
was	✅	Singular past tense
were	✅	Plural past tense / subjunctive
wased	❌	Incorrect
wereed	❌	Incorrect

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FAQs – Were / Was

1. Is “was” or “were” correct with “I”?

• Use was for past tense, were for hypothetical situations.
• Example: I was tired / If I were taller…

2. Can “was” replace “were” in conditionals?

• Informal American English allows it, but “were” is standard in writing.

3. Are “was” and “were” interchangeable?

• No, they depend on singular/plural subjects and reality vs hypotheticals.

4. Is “if I were” correct?

• Yes, it is the subjunctive mood and correct in formal English.

5. Which is used more often worldwide?

• Was appears more frequently because singular subjects are common.

6. How do ESL learners remember the difference?

• Singular → was, Plural → were, Hypothetical → were.

7. Can “were” be used with singular?

• Only in subjunctive mood (e.g., If I were king).

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Conclusion: 

Understanding the difference between were and was is essential for clear and professional English writing. Both are past tense forms of “to be,” but was is used with singular subjects, while were is used with plurals and in hypothetical or conditional situations. ESL learners, students, and professionals often search for this distinction because it can subtly change the meaning of a sentence.

In formal writing, always follow the standard rules: singular → was, plural → were, conditional/subjunctive → were. Informal American English sometimes uses “was” in place of “were” for hypotheticals, but this should be avoided in professional writing. By mastering these rules, your emails, essays, social media posts, and reports will read smoothly and correctly. Remember, consistency matters as much as correctness. With this guide, choosing between were and was becomes simple and error-free.