When it comes to writing and speaking in past tense, it’s important to note that correct usage of verb forms plays a crucial role. Specifically, the past forms of the irregular verb “to be”, can sometimes cause confusion. The focus here is on one common doubt: Is it correct to say “they were”? .
Understanding the Basics
The verb “to be” is an irregular verb. That means it doesn’t follow the regular conjugation patterns for verbs in English. In past tense, it takes two forms: “was” and “were”.
- “Was” is used with singular pronouns like “he”, “she”, “it” and “I”.
- “Were” is employed for plural pronouns such as “you”, “we” and “they”.
The Singular They
However, there are circumstances where “were” is used even with singular pronouns. This is the case when the subjunctive mood is used.
Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is a verb form used for hypothetical situations or statements that go against fact. When writing in the subjunctive mood, “were” is used regardless of whether the pronoun is singular or plural.
- For example, in the sentence “If I were you, I’d accept his offer,” you’re discussing a hypothetical situation, hence the use of “were”.
They Were: The Correct Use
When you’re using the plural pronoun “they”, you should always use the word “were”. For instance, you’d say “They were happy to see me,” not “They was happy to see me.” This rule follows as “they” is a plural pronoun, and it’s grammatically accurate to pair it with the plural form of the verb, which in this case is “were”.
Conclusion
Undeniably, English grammar can be a complex issue, particularly when dealing with irregular verbs and the subjunctive mood. However, understanding the core rules and exceptions can go a long way in ensuring your language use is accurate and effective. In essence, “they were” is not only correct but also a commonly used phrase in English language, and it aligns perfectly with standard grammatical rules.