Base
I want to be on time today.
After want to, the verb stays as be.
Past Tense of Be: Was, Were and Been
Be is the most irregular verb in English. It has two past forms: was for I, he, she and it, and were for you, we and they. The past participle is been.
Base
be
Past
was / were
Past participle
been
Third person: is · -ing form: being
ABC: form patternExamples
Base
Be quiet in the library, please.
Be is the base form in a polite order.
Past
I was at home last night.
Use was with I, he, she and it.
Past
We were late for the bus.
Use were with you, we and they.
Past participle
She has been ill this week.
Has been links the past to now.
Past participle
They have been in London for two days.
Have been is the present perfect of be.
Usage notes
Was or were?
Use was with I, he, she, it and a single thing or person: The film was long. Use were with you, we, they and plural nouns: The shops were closed.
Been or gone?
He has been to Paris means he visited and came back. He has gone to Paris means he is still there or on the way.
Common mistakes
I were at school yesterday.
I was at school yesterday.
Use was, not were, after I.
She has was here since noon.
She has been here since noon.
After has or have, use the past participle been.
He be a teacher.
He is a teacher.
In the present, be changes to am, is or are; the base form be is not used after he.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the right form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.We ___ in the garden yesterday.
2.I have ___ to this shop before.
3.She ___ very tired last night.
4.Please ___ careful on the stairs.
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of be in each sentence.
Correct the mistake
Rewrite the English sentence with the correct verb form.
8.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Answer key
1. We ___ in the garden yesterday.
Answer: were
Yesterday is past and we takes were.
2. I have ___ to this shop before.
Answer: been
After have, use the past participle been.
3. She ___ very tired last night.
Answer: was
Last night is past and she takes was.
4. Please ___ careful on the stairs.
Answer: be
A polite order uses the base form be.
5. They have ___ married for ten years.
Answer: been
Have plus the past participle is have been.
6. It ___ cold on Monday.
Answer: was
It takes was in the past.
7. You ___ right yesterday.
Answer: were
You takes were in the past.
8. She has was here since noon.
Answer: She has been here since noon.
After has, use been, not was.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of be?
The past tense of be is was (I, he, she, it) and were (you, we, they): I was late and they were late.
What is the past participle of be?
The past participle of be is been: She has been here since Monday.
What is the difference between was and were?
Use was with I, he, she and it. Use were with you, we and they.