Was vs Were

Does anyone have a good tip about using the words was and were?

[blacknomi]

Originally Posted by Valerie

Does anyone have a good tip about using the words was and were?

Past tense, Present tense
I was ugly. Now I am pretty. ( Subject has to be first person sigular)
He was fat. Now he is even fatter! ( Subject has to be third person sigular)
We were just rookies 3 months ago. Now we are seasoned. ( Subject has to be second person sigular, such as you; or second/third person plural, such as you, they, we)


The usage of 'were' and 'was' in sunjuctive mood is another lesson. :wink:

Thanks!

by-the-way, do you have any other good tips about using in/on?

[blacknomi]

in

A. Refer to 'time' concept
1.century/dynasty ==> in modern time/in the Han Dynasty
2.year ==> in 2004/in the year of 2008/in the 1930s
3.month ==> She was born in March.
4.season ==> I love to go swimming in summer.
5.a period of time in life ==> I am still in my yeens.
6.in the morning/evening/daytime
7.during a period of time ==> in the past/in the hour of victory.

B. Refer to 'space' concept ==> in the car/park/room
C. directional movement ==> I jump into the river.


Hm, I suggest that you should narrow your question to a specific idea, such as on/in the desk or in the morning/on Monday morning. It would be easier to explain, rather than offering scattered explanation. But I try to compile some for you. Hope that helps. :wink: :D

[blacknomi]

Try:
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=in

:wink:

[RonBee]

I was fat. Now I am slim.

Blacknomi was a novice. Now she is a veteran.

They were going to come, but they changed their minds.

We were rich, but now we are poor.

:)

Originally Posted by blacknomi

in

A. Refer to 'time' concept
1.century/dynasty ==> in modern time/in the Han Dynasty
2.year ==> in 2004/in the year of 2008/in the 1930s
3.month ==> She was born in March.
4.season ==> I love to go swimming in summer.
5.a period of time in life ==> I am still in my yeens.
6.in the morning/evening/daytime
7.during a period of time ==> in the past/in the hour of victory.

B. Refer to 'space' concept ==> in the car/park/room
C. directional movement ==> I jump into the river.


Hm, I suggest that you should narrow your question to a specific idea, such as on/in the desk or in the morning/on Monday morning. It would be easier to explain, rather than offering scattered explanation. But I try to compile some for you. Hope that helps. :wink: :D

Thanks a lot!! It is exactly what I am looking for and your scattered explanation helped me more than a hundred examples I have seen in books. The dictionary is amazing and it has almost everything I need in it. Thank you again for all your help.
:D

[blacknomi]

I'm glad to have been some of help. :D