Was, Were - ESL worksheet by Tmk939 - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Was, Were - ESL worksheet by Tmk939. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Was, Were - ESL worksheet by Tmk939
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Was, Were - ESL worksheet by Tmk939
Sure! Let’s solve this worksheet step by step. The focus is on using “was” (for singular subjects) and “were” (for plural subjects or “you”) correctly in the past tense.
---
## ✔ SECTION 1: Underline the correct verb
We need to choose between was (singular) and were (plural or “you”).
1. They were in the Natural History Museum yesterday.
→ *They* = plural → were
2. Nick was taken to the hospital early in the morning yesterday.
→ *Nick* = singular → was
3. My parents were very tired after their trip to Newcastle.
→ *Parents* = plural → were
4. Helen was on a ferry boat going to Sweden yesterday.
→ *Helen* = singular → was
5. The article... was very interesting.
→ *Article* = singular → was
6. Those houses were built two hundred years ago.
→ *Houses* = plural → were
7. Last winter was the coldest winter in our region.
→ *Winter* = singular → was
8. Tom was absent-minded because he had left the keys at school.
→ *Tom* = singular → was
9. I was on a long trip to the USA two years ago.
→ *I* → use was (past of “am”)
10. Your e-mail address was very difficult to remember.
→ *Address* = singular → was
11. My brother's letters were rather long and interesting.
→ *Letters* = plural → were
12. Pamela was an excellent ski jumper three years ago.
→ *Pamela* = singular → was
✔ Correct Answers for Section 1:
1. were
2. was
3. were
4. was
5. was
6. were
7. was
8. was
9. was
10. was
11. were
12. was
---
## ✔ SECTION 2: Fill in “was” or “were”
Same rule: singular → was, plural → were, “you” → were
1. Who was the best football player in Great Britain last year?
→ One person → was
2. They were very happy after their trip to London last month.
→ *They* = plural → were
3. Andrew was the best student in our class last year.
→ *Andrew* = singular → was
4. The film was not interesting and I switched off the TV.
→ *Film* = singular → was
5. The mathematics test was very difficult and we were disappointed.
→ Test = singular → was; We = plural → were
6. The boys were very noisy at the lesson yesterday.
→ *Boys* = plural → were
7. Who was the best sportsman in your class last month?
→ One person → was
8. Martha was in Cambridge with her parents two years ago.
→ *Martha* = singular → was
9. The girls were in the disco club two weeks ago.
→ *Girls* = plural → were
10. I was responsible for the classroom flowers last year.
→ *I* → past of “am” → was
11. There were many flowers in the flowerbeds around the school.
→ *Flowers* = plural → were
12. Five birds were sitting on the branches of the tree near the house.
→ *Birds* = plural → were
✔ Correct Answers for Section 2:
1. was
2. were
3. was
4. was
5. was, were
6. were
7. was
8. was
9. were
10. was
11. were
12. were
---
## ✔ SECTION 3: Rewrite the sentences using “was” or “were”
We are changing present tense (“am”, “is”, “are”) to past tense (“was”, “were”).
1. I am happy to see you. → I was happy to see you.
2. This is my favourite book. → This was my favourite book.
3. Mary is not at school. → Mary was not at school.
4. It is a very interesting film. → It was a very interesting film.
5. We are good sportsmen. → We were good sportsmen.
6. Tom is my best friend. → Tom was my best friend.
7. Nora is on holidays in Italy. → Nora was on holidays in Italy.
8. The dogs are under the table. → The dogs were under the table.
9. My mobile is broken. → My mobile was broken.
10. They are good students. → They were good students.
11. This dog is very friendly. → This dog was very friendly.
12. I am at the shopping centre. → I was at the shopping centre.
✔ Correct Answers for Section 3:
1. I was happy to see you.
2. This was my favourite book.
3. Mary was not at school.
4. It was a very interesting film.
5. We were good sportsmen.
6. Tom was my best friend.
7. Nora was on holidays in Italy.
8. The dogs were under the table.
9. My mobile was broken.
10. They were good students.
11. This dog was very friendly.
12. I was at the shopping centre.
---
## 🎯 Final Summary:
You’ve practiced:
- Choosing was (singular) vs. were (plural/you)
- Changing present tense verbs to past tense
- Applying grammar rules in context
Great job! Keep practicing — this is a key foundation for English grammar. 💪📚
Let me know if you want a printable version or more exercises!
---
## ✔ SECTION 1: Underline the correct verb
We need to choose between was (singular) and were (plural or “you”).
1. They were in the Natural History Museum yesterday.
→ *They* = plural → were
2. Nick was taken to the hospital early in the morning yesterday.
→ *Nick* = singular → was
3. My parents were very tired after their trip to Newcastle.
→ *Parents* = plural → were
4. Helen was on a ferry boat going to Sweden yesterday.
→ *Helen* = singular → was
5. The article... was very interesting.
→ *Article* = singular → was
6. Those houses were built two hundred years ago.
→ *Houses* = plural → were
7. Last winter was the coldest winter in our region.
→ *Winter* = singular → was
8. Tom was absent-minded because he had left the keys at school.
→ *Tom* = singular → was
9. I was on a long trip to the USA two years ago.
→ *I* → use was (past of “am”)
10. Your e-mail address was very difficult to remember.
→ *Address* = singular → was
11. My brother's letters were rather long and interesting.
→ *Letters* = plural → were
12. Pamela was an excellent ski jumper three years ago.
→ *Pamela* = singular → was
✔ Correct Answers for Section 1:
1. were
2. was
3. were
4. was
5. was
6. were
7. was
8. was
9. was
10. was
11. were
12. was
---
## ✔ SECTION 2: Fill in “was” or “were”
Same rule: singular → was, plural → were, “you” → were
1. Who was the best football player in Great Britain last year?
→ One person → was
2. They were very happy after their trip to London last month.
→ *They* = plural → were
3. Andrew was the best student in our class last year.
→ *Andrew* = singular → was
4. The film was not interesting and I switched off the TV.
→ *Film* = singular → was
5. The mathematics test was very difficult and we were disappointed.
→ Test = singular → was; We = plural → were
6. The boys were very noisy at the lesson yesterday.
→ *Boys* = plural → were
7. Who was the best sportsman in your class last month?
→ One person → was
8. Martha was in Cambridge with her parents two years ago.
→ *Martha* = singular → was
9. The girls were in the disco club two weeks ago.
→ *Girls* = plural → were
10. I was responsible for the classroom flowers last year.
→ *I* → past of “am” → was
11. There were many flowers in the flowerbeds around the school.
→ *Flowers* = plural → were
12. Five birds were sitting on the branches of the tree near the house.
→ *Birds* = plural → were
✔ Correct Answers for Section 2:
1. was
2. were
3. was
4. was
5. was, were
6. were
7. was
8. was
9. were
10. was
11. were
12. were
---
## ✔ SECTION 3: Rewrite the sentences using “was” or “were”
We are changing present tense (“am”, “is”, “are”) to past tense (“was”, “were”).
1. I am happy to see you. → I was happy to see you.
2. This is my favourite book. → This was my favourite book.
3. Mary is not at school. → Mary was not at school.
4. It is a very interesting film. → It was a very interesting film.
5. We are good sportsmen. → We were good sportsmen.
6. Tom is my best friend. → Tom was my best friend.
7. Nora is on holidays in Italy. → Nora was on holidays in Italy.
8. The dogs are under the table. → The dogs were under the table.
9. My mobile is broken. → My mobile was broken.
10. They are good students. → They were good students.
11. This dog is very friendly. → This dog was very friendly.
12. I am at the shopping centre. → I was at the shopping centre.
✔ Correct Answers for Section 3:
1. I was happy to see you.
2. This was my favourite book.
3. Mary was not at school.
4. It was a very interesting film.
5. We were good sportsmen.
6. Tom was my best friend.
7. Nora was on holidays in Italy.
8. The dogs were under the table.
9. My mobile was broken.
10. They were good students.
11. This dog was very friendly.
12. I was at the shopping centre.
---
## 🎯 Final Summary:
You’ve practiced:
- Choosing was (singular) vs. were (plural/you)
- Changing present tense verbs to past tense
- Applying grammar rules in context
Great job! Keep practicing — this is a key foundation for English grammar. 💪📚
Let me know if you want a printable version or more exercises!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of and was were worksheet.
