Use "was" with singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and "were" with plural subjects (we, you, they) — including every instance of "you," even when talking to one person. (If you're interested in regional and informal second-person plural variations, check out our guide on y'all or you all). That's the entire rule; the exceptions below cover the cases people actually get stuck on.
The Basic Rule
| Subject | Past tense of "to be" | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | was | I was at the store. |
| You | were | You were right. |
| He / She / It | was | She was tired. |
| We | were | We were early. |
| They | were | They were late. |
The Exception That Trips Everyone Up: The Subjunctive Mood
When you're describing something hypothetical, wishful, or contrary to fact, use "were" even with singular subjects like "I," "he," or "she" (this is known as the subjunctive mood, as detailed in Britannica's subjunctive mood overview).
✅ Correct Subjunctive Examples
- "If I were you, I'd apologize." (not "was")
- "I wish she were here." (not "was")
- "He acts as if he were in charge." (not "was")
The test: if the sentence describes something that isn't true right now, use "were" — this is the subjunctive mood, and it's the single biggest source of "was vs were" confusion.
Quick Self-Check
Ask yourself two questions:
- Is the subject singular or plural?
- Is the sentence describing a real past fact, or a wish/hypothetical?
If it's a real fact → follow the basic rule (was for singular, were for plural).
If it's a wish or hypothetical → use "were," regardless of subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "you was" ever correct?
No — "you" always takes "were," whether you're addressing one person or a group. "You was" is a common spoken error but is not grammatically correct in standard English.
Why do people say "if I was" instead of "if I were"?
Because the subjunctive mood is fading in casual spoken English. "If I was you" is widely understood, but "if I were you" is the grammatically correct form and the one expected in formal writing. (For other common writing pitfalls, read our guide on choosing truely or truly).
Does this rule apply to contractions like "wasn't" and "weren't"?
Yes — the same subject rules apply. "He wasn't ready" and "They weren't ready" follow the identical pattern as "was" and "were."
💡 The Takeaway
Ninety-five percent of the time, the rule is simply singular → was, plural → were. The only place people slip up is the subjunctive mood — wishes, hypotheticals, and "as if" statements always take "were," no matter the subject.
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