Past Simple: was / were / could (Focus 1: 5.5)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

was / were/could

 was / were

I was                               

he / she / it was         

We were                                       

They were

You were

When to use was/were?

We use it when we talk about an event or situation that started and ended in the past. 

Was and were are the past tenses for "to be" 

was/were: negative form

I wasn't 

you weren't

he wasn't

we weren't

they weren't

was/were: question form

Was I? 

 Were you? 

Was he? 

Were we? 

Were they?

When to use could?

We use it when we talk about an ability (being able to do something) in the past.

Could is the past of "can".

I can understand Maths now. (present)

I couldn't understand it when I was younger.  (past)

Mike ....... alone. His sister was also at home.

1. was
2. wasn't
3. were
4. weren't

We .... at school yesterday

1. was
2. wasn't
3. were
4. weren't

I was home late, so my parents ..... very angry with me.

1. was
2. wasn't
3. were
4. weren't

I .... speak French very well, but that ...... interesting too!

1. couldn't/was
2. couldn't/were
3. couldn't/could
4. were/was

...... you play a music instrument when you........ younger?

1. was/were
2. were/could
3. couldn't/were
4. could/were

My little sister ..... nice when she was young. She used to bully me.

1. was
2. wasn't
3. were
4. weren't

I .... very hungry when I came home. Luckily there was pizza!

1. was
2. were
3. wasn't
4. weren't

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