I was vs I were

The correct phrase is "I was." The use of "I were" is incorrect in standard English. "I was" is the correct past tense form of the verb "to be" when referring to oneself.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1125 views

Correct. "I was" is the past tense form of the verb "to be" when referring to oneself.

"I was"

Use "I was" when talking about something that happened in the past involving yourself.

Examples:

I was at the party last night.
Yesterday, I was feeling sick.
When I was younger, I loved playing soccer.

Show examples from the web [+]

I was savouring my revolution, I was disappearing... far.
I was taken away from my family when I was nine years old.
I was saying something and I wasn't finished.
I was adopted by a white family when I was nine.
I was walking peacefully along the sea front when I was attacked.
I was Bitten when I was ten.
I was lucky I was funny.
I was listening to it last night when I was falling asleep.
I was in the forces for a couple years when I was young.
I was actually on house arrest, Because last year I was involved in a hit-and-run.
I was truthful, I was completely relaxed.
I was taking out the trash when I was attacked.
I was surprised how calm I was once we got started.
I was there, I was approached by the company.
I was sent into the field when I was only 10.
I wasn't walking back home the night I was killed.
I wasn't absolutely positive, whom I was speaking to.
I was stolen from my parents when I was small...
When I was your age, I was obsessed with individual freedom.
All the time I was drawing, I was listening to Vangelis.

Incorrect. "I were" is not a standard construction in English. The correct form is "I was."

"I were"

Show examples from the web [+]

If I were Abbott and Costello, this would be fairly traumatic.
If only I were more muscular... like a matador.
Your father and I were classmates at university.
Raffaele and I were at his apartment.
Cappie and I were discussing tonight's Emotional Purge.
When you and I were together...
Rachel and I were... Young.
Justin and I were friends since freshman year in high school.
Louisa and I were agreeing that we should hardly know her.
Peg and I were at the regional meeting of the Knights of Columbus.
Ted and I were very close once.
Well, Willow and I were...
Izzy and I were in the cab.
Ms. Hewes, my father and I were very close.
He and I were cell mates.
Your father and I were great friends, you know.
Erm, even if I were a seamstress, Agnes and I were very different shapes.
So Monica and I were alone.
Teddy and I were never exclusive.
Deanna and I were actually friends.

Alternatives:

I was

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I was vs I were

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