11. Questions with Be in The Simple Past Tense
[7/11/2009 01:12:00 PM | ]

English Explanations

1. To form a yes/no question with the verb be in the simple past tense, put was or were before the subject. Past time expressions (in blue) are usually at the end of the sentence.
2. You can answer yes/no questions with short answers. Short answers are Yes + subject pronoun + was/were or No + subject pronoun + wasn't/weren't.
3. To form a question with an answer other than yes and no, use a question word followed by was/were, and then the subject.

THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE OF BE


Statements

I/he/she/it/singular subject + was

· She was there yesterday.

you/we/they/plural subject + were

· They were there yesterday.


Negative Statements

I/he/she/it/singular subject + was not/wasn't

· He wasn't at home on Saturday.

you/we/they/plural subject + were not/weren't

· They weren't at home on Saturday.


Yes/No Questions

was/were + subject ...?

· Was she there?

· Were Sandra and Yukiko there?


Short Answers

Yes, + subject pronoun + was/were.

· Yes, she was.

No, + subject pronoun + wasn't/weren't.

· No, they weren't.


Questions with Question Words

question word + was/were + subject ...?

· Where was Joe?

· How was the festival?