Choosing between are and were trips up a lot of writers — even native speakers — because the verb “be” refuses to behave like normal verbs. It bends rules.
It shifts forms. It even brings in something mysterious called the subjunctive mood.
This guide breaks everything down with clear explanations, real examples, quick memory tricks, tables, and short paragraphs that flow naturally.
If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering, “Do I use are or were here?” — this is for you.
Understanding the Verb “Be” in English
The verb be is one of the most irregular verbs in the English language. It shifts depending on tense, number, and sometimes mood. That’s why choosing between are and were isn’t always simple.
Think of “be” as a shape-shifter:
| Tense | Singular Forms | Plural Forms |
|---|---|---|
| Present | am, is | are |
| Past | was | were |
| Subjunctive (Hypothetical) | — | were (used for all subjects) |
Both are and were belong to this family, but they serve different purposes.
Understanding their roles keeps you from making mistakes that weaken your writing.
Are — Present Tense Form of “Be”
The word are tells readers or listeners that the sentence is happening right now. It’s a present-tense verb used with plural subjects or the pronoun you.
When You Should Use “Are”
Use are when the subject is:
- Plural
Examples:- The kids are excited.
- The phones are ringing nonstop.
- The pronoun “you” (singular or plural)
Examples:- You are absolutely right.
- You are all invited tonight.
- We / They
Examples:- We are ready to begin.
- They are preparing the presentation.
Examples Showing “Are” Naturally
Here are real-world examples that sound like human speech:
- “You are making this harder than it is.”
- “My shoes are in the hallway.”
- “We are exploring new marketing ideas.”
- “They are arguing again.”
- “The results are better than last quarter.”
Short, direct, and clear — exactly how “are” works.
Using “Are” with Nouns and Pronouns
A simple rule:
If the subject is plural or you’re speaking to “you,” use are.
| Subject Type | Example Subject | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Plural noun | customers, dogs, players | are |
| Plural pronoun | we, they | are |
| Second-person pronoun | you (singular or plural) | are |
“Are” as an Auxiliary Verb
“Are” often supports another verb to form the present continuous tense (also called progressive).
Structure:Subject + are + verb-ing
Examples:
- We are running behind schedule.
- They are studying for tomorrow.
- You are learning fast.
This form tells the reader the action is ongoing.
Were — Past Tense Form of “Be”
The word were shows that the sentence takes place in the past. Just like are, it’s used with plural subjects or you, but the focus shifts backward in time.
When You Should Use “Were”
Use were when the subject is:
- Plural and past tense
Examples:- The instructions were confusing.
- The kids were outside earlier.
- You (past tense)
Examples:- You were brilliant today.
- You were late yesterday.
- We / They (past tense)
Examples:- We were shocked.
- They were waiting outside.
Examples of “Were” in Real Sentences
- “They were hoping for better weather.”
- “You were right all along.”
- “We were at the airport by 5 AM.”
- “My friends were thrilled.”
- “The results were disappointing.”
Customary Grammar Rules for “Were”
A quick summary:
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| You | are | were |
| We | are | were |
| They | are | were |
| Plural nouns | are | were |
If the sentence talks about something that already happened, were is usually the correct choice.
The Subjunctive “Were” — The Grammar Everyone Ignores but Needs
This is where things get interesting.
The subjunctive mood appears when you talk about:
- imaginary situations
- unrealistic scenarios
- wishes
- hypothetical outcomes
- polite suggestions
- regretful thoughts
In the subjunctive mood, were replaces was, even for singular subjects like “I,” “he,” or “she.”
What the Subjunctive Mood Actually Means
Think of it as the grammar of imagination.
If the situation isn’t real — you’re wishing, imagining, or dreaming — English switches to were.
When to Use Subjunctive “Were”
Use were when the sentence begins with phrases like:
- If I were…
- I wish I were…
- If he were…
- If she were…
- Suppose it were…
- As if it were…
Examples to Make It Clear
Here’s a comparison table that shows regular past vs. subjunctive:
| Sentence Type | Correct Form | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Real past | I was tired. | Actual past event. |
| Hypothetical | If I were taller… | Imagining something untrue. |
| Wish | I wish you were here. | Expresses desire, not fact. |
| Unreal condition | If she were the owner… | She isn’t — this is hypothetical. |
A Quick Quote That Helps (Writers Love This One)
“Use were when your sentence steps into a world that doesn’t exist.”
It sticks because it’s true every time.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Between Are and Were
Even advanced learners slip up. Here’s why.
Mixing Up Singular and Plural Forms
Using “are” with a singular subject or “was” with a plural one is one of the most common errors.
Incorrect:
- She are coming.
- They was late.
Correct:
- She is coming.
- They were late.
Using the Wrong Tense
Some learners write in the present when the situation clearly happened in the past.
Incorrect:
- We are hungry last night.
Correct:
- We were hungry last night.
Always check whether the sentence describes now or then.
Confusing Past Tense “Were” with Subjunctive “Were”
The past tense refers to events that actually happened.
The subjunctive refers to events not real.
Past:
- They were excited about the trip.
(This actually happened.)
Subjunctive:
- If they were excited, they didn’t show it.
(This is speculative.)
“You” Causes Extra Confusion
“You” uses:
- are in the present
- were in the past
- were in hypotheticals
- are in questions
No wonder learners get confused.
Examples:
- You are my friend.
- You were late.
- I wish you were here.
- Are you ready?
Practical Hacks to Remember the Difference
Here are simple, battle-tested tricks.
The Time Test
Ask yourself:
Is the sentence happening now or in the past?
- Now → are
- Past → were
The Reality Test
Is the situation real or imaginary?
- Real past → were
- Hypothetical → were
- Real present → are
The “You Rule”
“You” always uses:
- are (present)
- were (past or hypothetical)
The Substitute Trick
Try swapping the verb:
- If you can replace it with “is,” use are.
- If you can replace it with “was,” use were.
Example:
“You ___ my best friend.”
Replace with “is → are”
Replace with “was → were”
Which feels right?
“You are my best friend.” (present, real)
Case Studies: Real Examples of Are vs. Were Mistakes
Sometimes a story teaches better than a rule.
Case Study 1 — Business Email Miscommunication
Original sentence:
“We are hoping you were satisfied with the product you receive.”
Problems: Present and past mixed badly.
Corrected:
“We are hoping you were satisfied with the product you received.”
Small fixes. Clear message.
Case Study 2 — Student Essay Error
Original:
“If I was in charge, things would improve.”
Problem: Incorrect use of “was” in a hypothetical scenario.
Corrected:
“If I were in charge, things would improve.”
A simple switch makes the writing more professional.
Case Study 3 — Social Media Caption
Original:
“You are amazing yesterday!”
Problem: Wrong tense.
Corrected:
“You were amazing yesterday!”
Suddenly, it makes perfect sense.
Are vs. Were: Quick Reference Table
| Use | Present (Are) | Past (Were) | Subjunctive (Were) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plural subjects | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| “You” | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Hypothetical statements | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Real-time actions | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Completed events | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between “are” and “were”?
Are is present tense. Were is past tense or used in hypothetical (subjunctive) situations.
When should I use “are”?
Use are for plural subjects or “you” when talking about the present.
When should I use “were”?
Use were for plural subjects in the past, for “you” in the past, or in subjunctive/hypothetical situations.
How do I know if I need subjunctive “were”?
If the sentence talks about something unreal, imaginary, or wished-for, use were.
Why do people confuse “are” and “were”?
Because “you” uses both, the subjunctive mood breaks normal patterns, and the verb “be” is highly irregular.
Conclusion
Mastering are vs. were isn’t about memorizing dozens of rules. It’s about understanding the time, the subject, and the reality of the sentence.
Once you know whether the situation is present, past, or hypothetical, the correct form becomes obvious.
Good writing depends on clarity. Choosing the right verb form helps your sentences feel natural, confident, and professional. With the tips, tables, and examples in this guide, you’ll never hesitate again.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
