When do you use verb was and were?

Answer 1

"Was" is used in the first and third person simple past or past progressive and at the beginning of questions for the first and third person.

"I was sick." (first person simple past)

"I was sitting on the patio." (first person past progressive)

"He was angry." (third person simple past)

"He was getting angry." (third person past progressive)

"Was he angry?"

"Were" is used in the second person and plural and at the beginning of sentences referring to the second person and plural.

"You were supposed to be here at six o'clock."

"We were getting bored."

"They were hungry."

"Were you/they there on time?"

"Weren't we supposed to be there an hour ago?"

Answer 2

The verb "was" is used when referring to singular subjects (e.g. He was) or past tense actions (e.g. She was sleeping). The verb "were" is used when referring to plural subjects (e.g. They were) or in past tense actions for plural subjects (e.g. The dogs were barking).