Like the present simple, there are different rules for the irregular verb be, which describes the state of being in the simple statement I am. To make the present simple ‘I am’ into past simple, remember to change ‘am’ to ‘was’ when referring to one person (‘I’, ‘she/he’), and ‘were’ when referring to a group (plural).
Basic Positive Past Simple Form of ‘Be’
| Present Tense | Past Simple Tense |
| I am cold. | I was cold. |
| He is cold. | He was cold. |
| She is cold. | She was cold. |
| It is cold. | It was cold. |
| They are cold. | They were cold.209 |
Basic Negative Past Simple Form of ‘Be’
| Long Form | Short Form |
| I was not there.
She was not there. He was not there. It was not there. They were not there. |
I wasn’t there.
She wasn’t there. He wasn’t there. It wasn’t there. They weren’t there. |
Question Form of Past Simple Form of ‘Be’
- Was I included?
- Was she at the party?
- Was he in the car?
- Was it fun?
- Were they happy?
‘Wh’ questions with the Past simple of ‘to be’
- Where was I when this happened?
- Why was she upset?
- Who was he talking to?
- When was it started?
- What were they supposed to do?