I was on leave yesterday vs I were on leave yesterday

The correct phrase is 'I was on leave yesterday.' 'Was' is the correct past tense form of the verb 'to be' when used with the pronoun 'I.' 'I were on leave yesterday' is incorrect because 'were' is the past tense form used with 'you,' 'we,' 'they,' and 'it', but not 'I'.

Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 28, 2025 • 5145 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I was on leave yesterday"

This phrase is the correct way to express that you were on leave the day before today. 'Was' is the past tense form of the verb 'to be' used with the pronoun 'I.'

Examples:

I was on leave yesterday, so I missed the meeting.
She said I was on leave yesterday, but I don't remember taking a day off.
I was on leave yesterday, so I couldn't attend the training session.
He told me he was on leave yesterday due to a family emergency.
I was on leave yesterday, so I didn't check my work emails.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was on leave yesterday
Second of all, I was on leave.
I may have gotten you something there when I was on leave.
I got married during the war - and had two children when I was on leave.
When I met him, I was on leave from law school.
I used to visit her now and again when I was on leave.
About five years ago, when I was on leave...
I was on leave, out of the blue they called me back
I was on leave, sir.
That's where I was when I was on leave When a private investigator showed up, Told me my birth parents were looking for me.
It happened when I was home on leave.
Everyone else thought I was on sick leave.
last time I was home on leave.
That I celebrated here the last two Christmases, and I was also on leave.
Everyone else thought I was on sick leave.
After Hyadum-12, I was on sick leave.
Everyone else thought I was on sick leave.
I was wounded... on leave from Gregg's Texans, Longstreet's Corps.
I was told you were on leave.
We met through a friend when I was on shore leave on Earth.
I was planning to go on leave, but now I won't.

This phrase is incorrect in English. 'Were' is not the correct past tense form of the verb 'to be' when used with the pronoun 'I.'

"I were on leave yesterday"

Show examples from the web [+]

I were on leave yesterday
Several friends and I were on leave at Farspace Starbase Earhart.
I was told you were on leave.
You always do. Uhura, I thought you were on leave.
I thought you were on sick leave.
I thought you were on sick leave.
I thought you were on administrative leave, not cavorting with criminals.
We had some sailors on leave who wouldn't leave.
Everyone on leave got an invite.
Major MacKenzie, Commander Brumby are on leave.
A Brontosaurus - feeding merely on leaves.
I want all officers on leave recalling.
Met my mother on leave in Galveston.
The prisoners on leave are returning...
As a result he was placed on leave.
They waited until everyone was on leave to do this.
He's home on leave, wearing his uniform.
Said we can borrow it when you're next on leave.
Why go in two weeks on leave.
Because in two weeks I'm going on leave.
My driver is on leave today.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany