Usage of were and was

Were and was are the simple past tense of the verb be. We use were in the plural and was in the singular, and we can only use were in the subjunctive mood. Difference and usage: was and were are both past tense. Was is the general past tense of is and am, and were is the general past tense of are. Was is used with I/He/She/It, and were is used with We/ them /You. She was still half asleep at work.

She was still sleepy at work.

His life is coming to an end.

His life is coming to an end.

There was no payment last week because of a computer error.

There was no payment last week because of a computer error.

We were told not to talk to anyone.

We were asked not to talk to anyone.