Verb To Be Past Negative and Questions Exercises

Past negatives and questions with to be use was, were, wasn't, and weren't. Use wasn't with I, he, she, it, and one person or thing: "The food wasn't very good." Use weren't with you, we, they, and plural nouns: "They weren't at work on Saturday." The full forms are was not and were not.

For past questions, put Was or Were before the subject: "Were you at the cinema last night?" and "Was she happy when she heard the news?" Negative questions begin with Wasn't or Weren't: "Weren't they ready?" Time words such as yesterday, last night, on Saturday, and when she heard the news show that the sentence is about the past. Match the subject after you identify the time. Full forms can sound more careful, while contractions sound natural in speech and simple messages. These forms help you describe past places, feelings, events, and plans clearly.