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there was vs There were

Both 'there was' and 'there were' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'There was' is used when referring to a singular subject, while 'there were' is used when referring to plural subjects.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 824 views

there was

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular subject.

Use 'there was' when talking about a single item, person, or thing. It is the singular form of the phrase.

Examples:

There was a cat on the roof.
There was a problem with the computer.

Show examples from the web [+]

Apparently there was some truth to her evacuation story.
Only nobody there was talking movies or music.
No wonder there wasn't any bruising.
I was convicted before there was dna.
Apparently, there was a communication problem.
Means there was a spirit here recently.
Mrs Weston informed me there was a kiss.
I heard there was an accident.
And apparently, there was an incident earlier.
Clearly, there was a clerical error.
She said there was an incident yesterday.
I heard there was an accident.
The dalliance - there was kissing.
So there was an excess caress.
I understand there was a development.
I heard there was an attempted takeover recently.
Anyhoo, there was some unexpected friendly fire.
Yesterday there was a massacre in Ayacucho.
But there was this floating adrift.
In her house there was a cash-transfer receipt.

Alternatives:

there is
there has been
there had been
there will be
there might be

There were

This phrase is correct when referring to plural subjects.

Use 'there were' when talking about multiple items, people, or things. It is the plural form of the phrase.

Examples:

There were three apples on the table.
There were many students in the classroom.

Show examples from the web [+]

There were velvet curtains Blocking this hallway.
There were 3,000 people at that convention.
There were flights leaving nine cities.
There were some initial problems identifying its precise benefit.
There were 2 deaths last month.
There were 400 people in that container.
There were Nazis Shooting at you.
There were 27 attacks since they left Nebraska.
There were even two magnificent black horses onstage.
There were two girls that lived nearby.
There were strangers whow discovered extraordinary abilities.
There were light breezes and low-tide afternoons.
There were two follow cars several blocks distant.
There were dozens of domestic-abuse calls.
There were some complications with a patient recovery.
There were so many couples honeymoon.
There were leather fibers under Sharon's fingernails.
There were resistance fighters near my building.
There were brains and hair everywhere.
There were 27 attacks since they left Nebraska.

Alternatives:

there are
there have been
there had been
there will be
there might be

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