English can feel tricky when small words change the meaning of a whole sentence. Was there or were there is one of those moments. You’ve probably paused mid-sentence wondering which one sounds right.
Don’t worry. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly when to use was, were, was there, and were there in any situation.
This blog follows simple language, short paragraphs, active voice, and direct explanations. You’ll see examples, tables, comparisons, quotes, and small case studies.
The goal is to help you understand these forms so well that you never second-guess them again.
Let’s make grammar painless.
Understanding “Was” and “Were”
Before you learn was there or were there, you need to understand was and were. Both are past tense forms of the verb to be, but they don’t work the same way.
You use was for singular subjects and were for plural ones. That sounds simple, but English always adds a twist when hypotheticals enter the chat.
Here’s the clean breakdown.
What “Was” and “Were” Really Mean
Think of was and were as signals that tell us:
- Who we are talking about
- Whether the situation is real or imagined
- If the subject is singular or plural
You’re about to see how everything connects.
Singular Subjects: Using “Was”
You use was for:
- I
- He
- She
- It
- Any singular noun
Examples:
- I was at the store.
- She was tired.
- The dog was hungry.
Every sentence above talks about something real that happened in the past.
Plural Subjects: Using “Were”
You use were for:
- You
- We
- They
- Any plural noun
Examples:
- You were right.
- They were late.
- The books were on the table.
So far, this feels easy. That’s because we’re still dealing with real situations. Everything changes once we talk about unreal situations.
How “Was” and “Were” Work in Real vs Imaginary Situations
English has two important “moods” you need to know:
- Indicative mood → used for real things
- Subjunctive mood → used for unreal, imaginary, or hypothetical things
Let’s break down both.
The Indicative Mood: When You Describe Reality
In real situations, just follow the basic rule:
- Singular → was
- Plural → were
Examples:
- I was at the party yesterday.
- They were excited about the game.
- It was colder than usual.
Nothing complicated here.
The Subjunctive Mood: When You Describe Unreal Ideas
Now things get fun. The subjunctive mood appears when you’re imagining something, wishing for something, or talking about something impossible.
In these cases, English almost always uses were for every subject (even singular ones).
Examples:
- If I were taller, I’d play basketball.
- I wish she were here.
- If he were honest, he’d tell the truth.
Even though “he,” “she,” and “I” are singular, the correct form in unreal conditions is were, not was.
Here’s a quick way to check:
If you can replace it with “in an alternate world,” use were.
Example:
If I were rich → If, in an alternate world, I were rich.
It still makes sense. Perfect.
“If I Was” vs “If I Were”
Let’s settle this once and for all, because this is one of the most debated grammar questions.
When “If I Was” Is Correct
Use if I was for real past events.
Examples:
- If I was rude yesterday, I’m sorry.
- If I was late, it won’t happen again.
These refer to things that possibly happened.
When “If I Were” Is Correct
Use if I were for imaginary situations.
Examples:
- If I were invisible, I’d prank my friends.
- If I were a millionaire, I’d travel the world.
These refer to things that are not real.
A Quick Rule for Fast Decision-Making
Here’s the shortcut:
| Situation | Correct Form |
|---|---|
| Real past condition | If I was |
| Imaginary or hypothetical | If I were |
Wrong: If I was rich
Right: If I were rich
Because you’re imagining, not looking back at a real past event.
Understanding “There Was” vs “There Were”
Now let’s focus on your main keyword: was there vs were there.
These phrases appear when you want to say that something existed in the past.
- There was → singular
- There were → plural
Easy? Mostly. Yet many people get confused because the subject comes after the verb.
How “There” Changes the Sentence Structure
“There” in these sentences doesn’t hold any meaning. It’s only a placeholder. The real subject comes later.
Examples:
- There was a cat on the roof.
(Real subject = cat → singular) - There were two cats on the roof.
(Real subject = two cats → plural)
This structure is called an expletive construction. Sounds serious but it’s just a grammar term for a sentence that begins with “there” or “it” without adding meaning.
When to Use “There Was”
Use there was when the subject is singular:
- There was a problem.
- There was an accident.
- There was a man at the door.
Also use there was for mass nouns like:
- sugar
- water
- traffic
- furniture
Even if they sound big, they act singular grammatically.
Examples:
- There was traffic last night.
- There was water on the floor.
When to Use “There Were”
Use there were when the subject is plural:
- There were three options.
- There were many peopl
- There were two reasons for the delay.
Here’s a helpful table.
Table: “Was There” vs “Were There”
| Phrase | Use For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Was there | Singular noun | Was there a solution? |
| Was there | Mass noun | Was there noise outside? |
| Were there | Plural noun | Were there any mistakes? |
| Were there | Countable multiple items | Were there two cars? |
Context Changes Everything
You’ve learned the basics, so let’s talk about how context shifts meaning.
Statements About Reality
When you’re describing something that actually happened, you stick to:
- Was → singular
- Were → plural
Examples:
- Was there a meeting today?
- Were there guests last night?
Both refer to real past events.
Hypothetical or Unreal Situations
When you’re imagining a situation, the subjunctive kicks in.
Examples:
- If there were a way to fix this, I’d try it.
- If there were any openings, I’d apply.
Notice that even though “a way” is singular, you still use were.
That’s the power of the subjunctive mood.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Let’s look at mistakes learners often make and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Using “was” in imaginary situations
Wrong: If I was a bird, I would fly.
Correct: If I were a bird, I would fly.
Mistake 2: Confusing the real subject after “there”
Wrong: There was five people.
Correct: There were five people.
Mistake 3: Treating “you” as singular
“You” feels singular but always uses were in past tense.
Correct examples:
- You were right.
- Were you there?
Memory Hack
Use this simple rule:
If the situation is real, follow singular/plural.
If the situation is unreal, use were.
Short, clean, effective.
Mini Case Studies
Case Study 1: Customer Service Email
A support agent writes:
“There was many concerns raised.”
This is wrong.
“Concerns” is plural, so it should be:
“There were many concerns raised.”
Improvement increases clarity and professionalism.
Case Study 2: Everyday Conversation
Someone says:
“If there was a chance, I’d apply.”
You’re expressing hope for something that’s not real yet. It should be:
“If there were a chance, I’d apply.”
Small change, big accuracy.
Case Study 3: Business Report
Wrong:
“There was several errors in the data.”
Correct:
“There were several errors in the data.”
Grammar affects credibility, especially in business writing.
Quotes That Clarify the Concept
“Use was for what happened. Use were for what didn’t.”
“Reality takes was. Imagination takes were.”
“When the subject follows the verb, stop and check the number.”
These quick reminders help you make decisions on the fly.
FAQs
When should I use “was” and “were”?
Use was for singular subjects in real situations. Use were for plural subjects or imaginary situations.
Is “If I was you” correct?
Only if you’re talking about a real past event. For advice or imagination, use If I were you.
What’s the difference between “there was” and “there were”?
“There was” is for singular nouns. “There were” is for plural nouns.
Can I say “If I was rich”?
Grammatically, the correct form is If I were rich because it’s imaginary.
Why do we use “were” with “you”?
“You” always uses plural verb forms even when talking to one person. That’s how English evolved.
Conclusion
You now know exactly how to choose between was and were, and when to use was there or were there. The key idea is simple:
- Use was for singular real events.
- Use were for plural real events.
- Use were for any imaginary situation.
- Match there was / were to the real subject that follows.
Once you start noticing the subject and the context, these choices become second nature. Practice a little each day, and you’ll use these forms with confidence.
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.
