English learners and even native speakers often stumble over the difference between “was there” and “were there.”
It may seem small, but using the wrong form can confuse your reader or listener.
In this article, we’ll break down when to use was and were, explore real and imaginary situations, and give you practical tips to always get it right.
Breaking Down the Basics of “Was” and “Were”
At its core, “was” and “were” are the past tense forms of the verb “to be.” But the trick lies in knowing which one to use and when.
| Verb | Subject Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Was | Singular (I, he, she, it) | “I was at the park yesterday.” |
| Were | Plural (we, you, they) | “They were excited for the trip.” |
Quick Fact: “Was” is not only singular, but it can also feel more personal, while “were” has a slightly broader, inclusive tone when addressing multiple subjects.
Understanding this distinction is the first step toward mastering “was there” versus “were there.”
When “Was” Meets Reality: The Indicative Mood
The indicative mood is used for statements of fact or events that actually occurred. When you’re talking about something real in the past, you’re usually in the indicative mood.
Examples:
- “She was tired after the long hike.”
- “We were at the new cafe yesterday.”
- “There was a beautiful sunset last evening.”
Notice how the verb agrees with the subject: singular subjects get was, and plural subjects get were.
Pro Tip: If you can answer “Did it happen?” with a yes, you’re in the indicative mood. Use was/were accordingly.
Exploring “Were” in the Imaginary: The Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is where English gets a bit trickier. We use it to talk about hypothetical, wishful, or unreal situations. Even with a singular subject, we often use were instead of was.
Examples:
- “If I were rich, I’d travel the world.”
- “I wish he were here with us.”
- “If she were taller, she could play basketball.”
Key Rule: Whenever the situation is imaginary or contrary to fact, even singular subjects take were.
Why it matters: Many people write “If I was” when it should be “If I were.” Using the correct form makes your English sound polished and precise.
If I Was vs. If I Were: Choosing the Correct Form
Choosing between “if I was” and “if I were” depends on whether the event actually happened or is hypothetical.
| Form | Use Case | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If I was | Something that may have happened in the past | “If I was late yesterday, I apologize.” |
| If I were | Hypothetical or imagined situation | “If I were you, I would take a break.” |
Quick Tip: Think of “if I were” as the “dream or imagine” form. Think of “if I was” as the “reality check” form.
Case Study:
- A student writes: “If I was wrong, I’m sorry.” ✅ Correct (acknowledging past event)
- A student writes: “If I were wrong, I would apologize.” ✅ Correct (hypothetical reflection)
There Was vs. There Were: Matching the Verb to the Subject
The phrases “there was” and “there were” are common in English, but many get confused. The rule is simple: match the verb to the true subject, not to “there.”
Examples:
- “There was a spider on the wall.” (singular)
- “There were five books on the table.” (plural)
Pro Tip: Count the subject. Even if it follows “there,” always let the number of the subject decide the verb form.
Table: Singular vs. Plural Examples
| Sentence | Subject | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| There was a cat on the roof. | cat (singular) | was |
| There were three cats on the roof. | cats (plural) | were |
| There was an idea that inspired everyone. | idea (singular) | was |
| There were many ideas discussed. | ideas (plural) | were |
Fun Fact: “There is/are” in the present tense works the same way. It’s just the past tense form that uses was/were.
Understanding Singular vs. Plural Subjects in Context
English sometimes trips people up with collective nouns or tricky plurals.
Collective Nouns (team, family, audience):
- “The team was winning the match.” ✅ singular focus
- “The teams were competing fiercely.” ✅ plural focus
Irregular Plurals:
- “There were children playing outside.”
- “There was news about the earthquake.” (news = singular in grammar)
Pro Tip: Always identify the real subject before choosing your verb.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced speakers make these mistakes:
1. Using was with plural subjects:
- ❌ “They was late.”
- ✅ “They were late.”
2. Using were for factual past events instead of hypothetical:
- ❌ “If I were late yesterday, I apologize.”
- ✅ “If I was late yesterday, I apologize.”
3. Confusing there was/were with it was/they were:
- ❌ “It were five people at the party.”
- ✅ “There were five people at the party.”
4. Forgetting the subjunctive:
- ❌ “I wish he was here.”
- ✅ “I wish he were here.”
Tips to Remember “Was There” vs. “Were There”
- Mnemonic: Singular → Was, Plural → Were; Imaginary → Were.
- Check the subject: Count it before choosing your verb.
- Ask yourself: Is it real or imagined? Use indicative for real events, subjunctive for hypotheticals.
- Read out loud: If it sounds awkward, double-check your verb.
Quick Exercise:
- “There ___ a strange noise outside.” → There was a strange noise.
- “If I ___ taller, I could join the basketball team.” → If I were taller.
Mini Case Study: Applying “Was There” and “Were There” in Daily Life
Imagine planning a school reunion. You want to describe who came last year:
- Singular subjects:
- “There was a guest speaker at the reunion.”
- Plural subjects:
- “There were 50 attendees last year.”
- Hypothetical scenario:
- “If there were more volunteers, the event could have been bigger.”
Notice how context changes the verb. Knowing the difference makes your storytelling precise and professional.
Bonus Tips: Related Grammar Tricks
Sometimes, small errors make English messy. Here’s how to fix some common mistakes:
- Comma usage:
- ✅ “Unfortunately, the event was canceled.”
- ❌ “Unfortunately the event was canceled.”
- Too vs. To:
- ✅ “The shoes are too small.”
- ❌ “The shoes are to small.”
- Real-life vs. Real life:
- ✅ “This is a real-life story.”
- ✅ “In real life, things are different.”
- Prepositions (in, into, on, onto):
- “Put the book in the bag.”
- “He walked into the room.”
- “The cup is on the table.”
- “Place the ladder onto the platform.”
FAQs About “Was There” vs. “Were There”
What is the difference between was there and were there?
Answer: Use was there for singular subjects and were there for plural subjects. Example: “There was a cat” vs. “There were cats.”
When should I use if I were instead of if I was?
Answer: Use if I were for hypothetical or imaginary situations. Example: “If I were you, I’d apologize.”
Can I use were with I in past tense?
Answer: Yes, only in the subjunctive mood. Example: “If I were taller, I could reach the shelf.”
Is there was or there were correct in all sentences?
Answer: No, it depends on the subject. Singular → there was, plural → there were.
What’s the easiest way to remember was vs were?
Answer: Singular → was, plural → were, imaginary → were. Quick check: count the subject and decide if real or hypothetical.
Conclusion
Understanding was there and were there isn’t just about memorizing rules—it’s about recognizing number, mood, and context. Remember:
- Singular subjects take was, plural subjects take were.
- Real events → indicative mood; imaginary situations → subjunctive mood.
- “There” sentences depend on the subject, not the word “there.”
With these tools, you can confidently write, speak, and even teach the difference. Keep practicing, and soon it will feel natural.
I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️