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Who were vs Who was

The phrases 'who were' and 'who was' are used in different contexts. 'Who were' is used when referring to plural subjects, while 'who was' is used when referring to singular subjects. Therefore, they are not directly comparable as they serve different grammatical purposes.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 934 views

Who were

This phrase is correct when referring to plural subjects.

Use 'who were' when referring to multiple people or things. It is the past tense of 'who are.'

Examples:

Who were the people at the party?
I don't know who were the winners of the competition.
Can you tell me who were present at the meeting?
Do you know who were the authors of these books?
Who were the students that passed the exam?

Show examples from the web [+]

Who were with lieutenants Flynn and provenza During the time of the first death.
Alon and Ilya... Who were like this.
We went through a long list of all the vendors Who were there during his incarceration.
It was a peaceful and lawful gathering of sharecroppers, Who were brutally attacked by a gang of violent vigilants.
Who were those guys who jumped you?
Who were those guys last night?
Who were more twins than I thought.
Who were both already prone to unpleasantness.
Who were these people anyway, miners?
Who were these people of which I am comprised?
Who were these people, miners?
Who were the letters addressed to?
Who were those men, James?
Who were those guys on the beach?
Who were her contacts at the university?
Who were those women, Papa?
Who were those people that attacked me?
Who were those men I saw here?
CRESSIDA. Who were those went by?
Who were the people in that video?

Alternatives:

who are
who have been
who have
who had been
who had

Who was

This phrase is correct when referring to singular subjects.

Use 'who was' when referring to a single person or thing. It is the past tense of 'who is.'

Examples:

Who was the winner of the competition?
I wonder who was at the party last night.
Do you know who was present at the meeting?
Who was the author of this book?
Who was the student that passed the exam?

Show examples from the web [+]

Who was much smaller than Wayne.
Who was childhood sweethearts with your niece,
Who was that lady? tell me.
Who was the director of Traffiic Jam?
Who was sent to St. Claire's.
Jiminy Christmas! ...Who was trampled to death late yesterday while working at Manchester downs.
Who was that? Captain Wainwright.
Who was that woman in Roman...
Who was also my beloved child.
Who was harassed every day by Count Spaghetti.
Who was this fellow I killed?
Who was... afraid of the incredibly intense feelings he has for your sister.
Who was in alabama making omelettes With a racist sorority...
Who was too weak to raise his sword.
Who was a missionary over in Korea.
Who was your army in Bosnia?
Who was the target? Let's start there.
Who was the Bajoran that attacked you?
Who was a newborn, last time I checked.
Who was your muse, Lucious?

Alternatives:

who is
who has been
who has
who had been
who had

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