that weren't vs that wasn't

The phrases "that weren't" and "that wasn't" are not directly comparable as they are used in different contexts. "That weren't" is used when referring to plural subjects, while "that wasn't" is used when referring to singular subjects. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on the subject being discussed.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 891 views

This phrase is correct when referring to plural subjects.

"that weren't"

Use "that weren't" when referring to plural subjects that did not exist or were not present.

Examples:

The books that weren't returned need to be located.
Those were the days that weren't filled with worry.
The dishes that weren't washed are still in the sink.
The students that weren't present will need to catch up on the material.
The flowers that weren't watered have withered.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now, for days that weren't my birthday...
I made a mistake fighting against men that weren't of my condition.
Maybe some of these guys were called by Wolf for reasons that weren't just political.
a lot of things that weren't great.
And-And even if that weren't the case, she's under penalty of law to answer all of my questions.
The only ones that weren't there were Robin and Vivian.
Eating off of plates that weren't plastic.
He inherited some things that weren't in the will.
They must have brought five cakes that weren't purple enough.
Of making him see things that weren't there.
He said awful things to you in the past that weren't true.
In both robberies he used a rented getaway car using the credit cards and licenses of women that weren't involved.
arms and legs that weren't his.
Rumors that weren't true, because Lindsay was top gun - best in her class - I've got the records here to prove it.
I might've done one or two things that weren't exactly...
Off-shore accounts I didn't recognize, trips, charges that weren't on the books.
But we did find some hairs that weren't Mr. Eichen's buried right in there with him.
I mean, like, old-school methods and methods that weren't exactly... in keeping with department policy.
Not any that weren't put there.
We bonded over being forced into things that weren't really us.

Alternatives:

those that were not
the ones that were not
the things that were not
the people that were not
the items that were not

This phrase is correct when referring to singular subjects.

"that wasn't"

Use "that wasn't" when referring to singular subjects that did not exist or were not present.

Examples:

The book that wasn't returned needs to be located.
That was the day that wasn't as sunny as we hoped.
The dish that wasn't washed is still in the sink.
The student that wasn't present will need to catch up on the material.
The flower that wasn't watered has withered.

Show examples from the web [+]

Told you that wasn't necessary.
But you took something that wasn't yours.
Although that wasn't much fun either.
I bet that wasn't very hard for you.
No, that wasn't Pierce.
I swear that wasn't another botched attempt to get you two together.
I bet that wasn't very hard for you.
I guess you may have gathered that wasn't my divorce lawyer.
Clearly something that wasn't on the schedule.
- But that wasn't the only incident.
And that wasn't point-blank range.
I swear that wasn't my intention.
Kenny, you know that wasn't our stuff.
Yes, from a house that wasn't foreclosed.
A-and that wasn't my only discovery.
Spencer said that wasn't possible.
He insisted that wasn't him.
Only that wasn't meant to happen.
Okay, that wasn't very good.
Treiber will refuse any procedure that wasn't ordered by House.

Alternatives:

that was not
the one that was not
the thing that was not
the person that was not
the item that was not

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that weren't vs that wasn't

"that weren't"

"that wasn't"

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