The usage of was and were and their differences from is, am and are

The differences are as follows:

1. Were is the past tense of are, indicating the plural number.

2. Was is the past tense of is and am, indicating the singular number.

Example:

There were many trees on the playground.

There used to be many trees on the playground.

Amy was hungry yesterday.

Amy was hungry yesterday.

Extended information:

Past tense:

1. The simple past tense means that it happened at a specific time in the past, and it can also mean that it happened habitually and regularly in the past. action. Generally, the impact of actions is not emphasized, only things are explained.

Sentence pattern: subject verb past tense object other

I had a word with Julia this morning.

This morning, I said a few words to Julia .

2. The past tense is often used with adverbial adverbials or clauses expressing past time. For example, yesterday, last week, in the past, in 1993, at that time, once, during the war, before, a few days ago, when, etc.

When talking about someone who has died, use the past tense.

He was dead in 1990.

He died in 1990.

3. When expressing actions that occurred continuously in the past, use the past tense. In this case, there is often no adverbial expression indicating the past time, but it is expressed through context.

The boy opened his eyes for a moment, looked at the captain, and then died.

The boy opened his eyes for a moment, looked at the captain, and then died.

4. Indicates frequent or repeated actions during a period of time before this. Often used with always, never, etc.

Mrs. Peter always carried an umbrella.

Mrs. Peter always carried an umbrella. (It just explains her past actions, not whether she often carries an umbrella.)

5. If you emphasize a habit that has been terminated, use used to do (used to do it often, but not like that)

He used to drink alcohol.

He used to drink alcohol. (Meaning that he stopped drinking. The action of drinking has ended)

6. Some sentences, although there are no adverbials indicating a definite time in the past, actually refer to actions or states of existence that occurred in the past. Also use past tense.

I didn't know you were in Paris.

I didn't know you were in Paris.

(Because when I spoke, I already knew that you were in Paris. This sentence refers to before speaking, so it can only be expressed in the past tense. In fact, this sentence implies: But now I know you are here.)

Baidu Encyclopedia-Past Tense