There Was or There Were can be confusing when you talk about things that existed in the past. The correct choice depends on whether the subject is singular or plural, and understanding this rule makes your English clearer and more accurate.
Choosing between there was and there were is easier when you understand subject-verb agreement. Use there was with a singular noun or an uncountable noun, while there were works with plural nouns. These forms are common in everyday English, conversations, stories, descriptions, and formal writing, so learning the basic rule can quickly improve your grammar skills.
Many learners make mistakes because there appears at the beginning of the sentence, making it seem like the subject. However, the real subject comes after the verb. For example, we say “There was a problem” because “problem” is singular, but “There were several problems” because “problems” is plural. This simple agreement rule helps you choose the correct form with confidence.
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between there was and there were, including clear grammar rules, practical examples, common mistakes, and useful tips. Whether you’re improving spoken English, academic writing, or everyday communication, this explanation will help you use both forms naturally. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to use there was and when to use there were.
There Was or There Were: Which One Is Correct?
The choice depends mainly on the number of the noun that follows the verb.
- There was + singular noun
- There was + uncountable noun
- There were + plural noun
Consider these examples:
There was a problem with the computer.
The noun problem is singular, so was is correct.
There were several problems with the computer.
The noun problems is plural, so were is required.
Here’s the rule in a quick table:
| Noun type | Correct form | Example |
| Singular countable noun | There was | There was a mistake. |
| Plural noun | There were | There were several mistakes. |
| Uncountable noun | There was | There was some confusion. |
The important point is that there isn’t the noun controlling the verb in these constructions. The noun introduced by the existential construction determines whether you need was or were.
Understanding “There” in These Sentences
The word there can perform different jobs in English. In sentences such as “There was a problem,” it introduces the existence or presence of something.
Grammarians often call this existential there or dummy there. Don’t let the terminology scare you. The idea is simple.
Compare these sentences:
A problem was in the system.
There was a problem in the system.
The second sentence sounds much more natural when you’re introducing something that exists or has appeared.
In “There was a problem,” the word there doesn’t mean a physical location. It doesn’t point to a particular place. Instead, it helps introduce a problem.
That’s why this trick works:
Ignore “there” temporarily and look at the noun that follows the verb.
- There was a problem.
- There were problems.
- There was an accident.
- There were three accidents.
This simple habit can eliminate most mistakes.
There Was: Singular and Uncountable Nouns
Use there was when the noun is singular.
There Was With One Thing or Person
When one person, object, event, or idea exists or existed, use there was.
Examples:
- There was a man waiting outside.
- There was a strange noise upstairs.
- There was an empty seat near the window.
- There was a delay at the airport.
- There was one mistake in the report.
Notice how the number of the noun determines the verb.
One mistake → there was.
Several mistakes → there were.
This applies regardless of how long the rest of the sentence becomes.
There was a serious problem with the new software during yesterday’s test.
The sentence contains many words, but the essential noun is still problem, which is singular.
There Was With Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns don’t normally take a plural form. They include words such as information, advice, furniture, equipment, traffic, water, money, and confusion.
Because these nouns are grammatically singular, use there was.
Examples:
- There was some useful information in the report.
- There was enough food for everyone.
- There was heavy traffic on the highway.
- There was little evidence to support the claim.
- There was plenty of water in the tank.
- There was a lot of confusion after the announcement.
A common mistake is to treat an uncountable noun as plural simply because it describes a large quantity.
For example:
❌ There were some information available.
✅ There was some information available.
The quantity might be large, but information remains grammatically uncountable.
There Was in Negative Statements
The negative form is there wasn’t.
Examples include:
- There wasn’t a problem with the engine.
- There wasn’t enough time to finish.
- There wasn’t any milk in the refrigerator.
- There wasn’t much evidence available.
- There wasn’t anyone at the door.
In formal writing, you can also use there was not, although there wasn’t sounds more natural in everyday conversation.
There Was in Questions
For questions, place was before there:
Was there a problem?
Was there enough food?
Was there anyone nearby?
This pattern remains straightforward:
Was there + singular or uncountable noun?
If the noun is plural, switch to were.
There Were: Plural Nouns
Use there were when you introduce two or more countable people, objects, events, or ideas.
Examples:
- There were two cars outside.
- There were several students in the library.
- There were many reasons for the decision.
- There were three empty boxes on the floor.
- There were dozens of people waiting.
The plural noun doesn’t have to appear immediately after were. Sometimes modifiers come between the verb and noun.
There were several unexpected problems during the project.
The key noun is problems, not unexpected or any other descriptive word.
There Were in Questions
Use were there when asking about plural nouns.
Examples:
- Were there any mistakes?
- Were there enough chairs?
- Were there many people at the event?
- Were there several options available?
Compare:
Was there a problem?
Were there any problems?
The difference comes entirely from problem versus problems.
There Were in Negative Sentences
The negative form is there weren’t.
Examples:
- There weren’t enough chairs for everyone.
- There weren’t any tickets left.
- There weren’t many people at the meeting.
- There weren’t several options available.
You can also use the more formal there were not.
The Most Confusing Examples Explained
Some sentences become difficult because the noun controlling the verb isn’t immediately obvious.
There Was a Problem and Several Solutions
Consider:
There was a problem and several possible solutions.
This construction is common in speech because the speaker may mentally focus on the first noun, a problem.
However, when treating the entire coordinated noun phrase as the grammatical subject, formal agreement can favor:
There were a problem and several possible solutions.
That version sounds awkward to many readers. This is where real-world English becomes more complicated than a simple grammar chart.
When a sentence contains a singular noun followed by a plural noun, writers often avoid the awkwardness by restructuring the sentence:
A problem existed along with several possible solutions.
Or:
There were several possible solutions to the problem.
This approach removes ambiguity and produces cleaner formal prose.
There Were Several Solutions and a Problem
Now reverse the order:
There were several solutions and a problem.
This sounds more natural because the plural noun appears first and agrees with were.
The example illustrates an important practical point: word order can influence how natural a sentence sounds, especially when coordinated nouns have different numbers.
Rather than forcing a reader to process an unusual construction, good writing often restructures the sentence.
There Was a Reason or Two
Expressions such as:
There was a reason or two.
are perfectly natural in informal English.
The phrase “a reason or two” means approximately one or two reasons. The singular a reason appears first, which supports was in this idiomatic construction.
Compare it with:
There were one or two reasons.
This version is also natural and emphasizes the plural possibility.
There Were Two Reasons or a Problem
With alternatives, agreement can become less predictable:
There were two reasons or a problem.
The plural noun comes first, making were sound natural.
If the sentence feels clumsy, however, rewriting is often the best solution:
Either two reasons or one problem explains the situation.
Clear writing doesn’t always mean choosing between two awkward alternatives. Sometimes the smartest grammar move is to rebuild the sentence.
The 5 Traps That Catch Even Good Writers
Even experienced writers can stumble over there was or there were when sentences become complicated.
Trap 1: A Plural Noun Appears Later
Look at:
There was a detailed report on several serious problems.
The noun immediately after was is report, which is singular. The later word problems doesn’t change the verb.
Don’t let a nearby plural noun distract you.
Trap 2: Singular and Plural Nouns Appear Together
A sentence such as “There was a chair and two tables” creates uncertainty.
In everyday speech, you may hear there was frequently. In careful formal writing, it’s often better to avoid the mixed construction.
Try:
There were two tables and a chair in the room.
Or:
A chair and two tables were in the room.
The second version makes subject-verb agreement completely transparent.
Trap 3: Uncountable Nouns Look Plural
Some nouns describe things that can contain many individual parts but remain grammatically uncountable.
Examples include:
- information
- advice
- furniture
- equipment
- research
- evidence
- traffic
Therefore:
There was useful research on the topic.
Not:
❌ There were useful research on the topic.
Trap 4: Lists Contain Mixed Nouns
Lists create another common problem.
There was a laptop, two phones, and a printer on the desk.
This sentence occurs often in informal English. For polished writing, you can make the structure clearer:
There were two phones, a laptop, and a printer on the desk.
Or:
A laptop, two phones, and a printer were on the desk.
Reordering the list or changing the construction can make the sentence smoother.
Trap 5: Speech Sounds Different From Formal Writing
Spoken English often favors speed and familiar patterns. That’s why there was can appear with plural nouns in casual conversation.
For example, someone might naturally say:
“There was three people waiting outside.”
In standard formal English, the preferred form is:
“There were three people waiting outside.”
Understanding this distinction matters. You may hear a construction frequently without wanting to use it in academic, professional, or edited writing.
Also Read This: Annual vs Yearly vs Every Year: Exploring the Differences and Usage
There Was or There Were With Lists
Lists deserve special attention because they combine multiple nouns within one sentence.
| Sentence | Recommended approach | Reason |
| There was a book on the desk. | There was | Singular noun |
| There were books on the desk. | There were | Plural noun |
| There was a book and two pens. | Rewrite if formal | Mixed numbers |
| There were two pens and a book. | There were | Plural item leads |
| A book and two pens were on the desk. | Best formal option | Clear agreement |
When a list contains mixed singular and plural nouns, rewriting is often the cleanest solution.
That’s not a failure of grammar. It’s good editing.
There Was or There Were With “Or” and “Nor”
Alternative structures can also create uncertainty.
Consider:
There was a mistake or two in the document.
Here, a mistake or two works as a familiar expression meaning a small number of mistakes.
Now compare:
There were two mistakes or a misunderstanding.
The plural noun mistakes leads the construction, making were natural.
With nor, the structure can become even more complex:
There was neither a manager nor an assistant available.
There were neither managers nor assistants available.
When alternatives differ in number, clarity matters more than trying to force a complicated agreement rule into a sentence that already sounds awkward.
If necessary, rewrite it:
Neither a manager nor an assistant was available.
That sentence is shorter, clearer, and easier to understand.
There Was vs. There Were Across Different English Contexts
Grammar choices can feel different depending on the setting.
Everyday Conversation
Informal speech may contain nonstandard forms such as:
“There was two guys outside.”
You may hear this in casual conversation, but it doesn’t make the construction appropriate for formal writing.
Academic Writing
Academic prose generally favors standard subject-verb agreement:
There were several factors behind the change.
Accuracy matters because academic writing depends on clear, controlled language.
Business Writing
Professional communication should usually use the standard forms:
There were several issues with the proposal.
Instead of:
❌ There was several issues with the proposal.
Storytelling
Narrative writing often uses these constructions to introduce people, objects, or events:
There was a small cabin at the edge of the forest.
There were lights glowing in the distance.
Here, the construction can create a natural sense of discovery.
There Was or There Were in Different Tenses
Understanding the past forms becomes easier when you compare them with related structures.
| Time | Singular | Plural |
| Present | There is a problem. | There are problems. |
| Past | There was a problem. | There were problems. |
| Future | There will be a problem. | There will be problems. |
| Present perfect | There has been a problem. | There have been problems. |
Notice something useful: will doesn’t change according to singular or plural nouns.
There will be a delay.
There will be several delays.
The past tense is where the contrast between was and were becomes especially visible.
There Was or There Were: Formal vs. Informal English
One of the most useful lessons is that what people say casually isn’t always what they should write formally.
In conversation, contractions and rapid speech can blur grammatical distinctions. A listener may hear “there was” followed by a plural noun without noticing it.
Formal writing demands more control.
Use:
There were five employees in the room.
Avoid:
❌ There was five employees in the room.
The same principle applies to essays, reports, applications, business documents, and polished website content.
A Practical Rule
When you’re unsure, ask:
“What noun am I introducing?”
Then check its number.
- One → there was
- More than one → there were
- Uncountable → there was
This works remarkably well.
There, Their, and They’re: Don’t Mix Them Up
The phrase there was can also trigger confusion with their and they’re.
These words sound similar but perform completely different jobs.
| Word | Function | Example |
| There | Place or sentence structure | There was a problem. |
| Their | Possession | Their car was outside. |
| They’re | They are | They’re waiting outside. |
Try this substitution test:
They’re = they are
They’re late. → They are late.
Their shows ownership:
Their house is large.
There appears in the existential construction:
There was a house nearby.
Knowing this distinction prevents a completely different category of grammar mistake.
30+ Examples of There Was and There Were
Here are practical examples you can use as a reference.
Examples With “There Was”
- There was a strange sound outside.
- There was an accident near the intersection.
- There was one empty chair.
- There was enough food for everyone.
- There was some water in the bottle.
- There was a long line at the entrance.
- There was a serious problem with the engine.
- There was little evidence available.
- There was plenty of time to prepare.
- There was a beautiful view from the balcony.
- There was heavy traffic downtown.
- There was no reason to worry.
- There wasn’t enough information.
- Was there a problem?
- Was there anyone at home?
Examples With “There Were”
- There were two cars outside.
- There were several people in the lobby.
- There were many questions after the presentation.
- There were three mistakes in the report.
- There were enough seats for everyone.
- There were several options to consider.
- There were dozens of birds in the park.
- There were five students absent.
- There were no tickets remaining.
- There weren’t any clean towels.
- There weren’t many choices available.
- Were there any problems?
- Were there enough supplies?
- Were there several complaints?
- There were countless opportunities to improve.
A Simple “Was or Were?” Decision Method
When you’re writing quickly, don’t overthink the sentence. Use this three-step method.
Step one: Find the noun being introduced.
There was a dog outside.
Step two: Decide whether that noun is singular, plural, or uncountable.
dog = singular
Step three: Choose the matching verb.
There was a dog outside.
Now try:
There ___ several dogs outside.
Dogs is plural.
Therefore:
There were several dogs outside.
For an uncountable noun:
There ___ some information in the report.
Information is uncountable.
Therefore:
There was some information in the report.
The Quick Memory Trick
Think:
One = was.
Many = were.
Uncountable = was.
It’s short enough to remember while writing.
A Real-World Case Study: Editing a Business Report
Imagine a project manager writes:
“There was several problems with the latest software update.”
The meaning is obvious, but the agreement is incorrect in standard English.
The noun problems is plural.
The corrected sentence is:
“There were several problems with the latest software update.”
Now consider a more complicated sentence:
“There was a technical error and several smaller issues.”
Instead of debating the mixed construction, a professional editor could write:
“There were several smaller issues, including one technical error.”
The revised sentence sounds cleaner and removes the agreement problem altogether.
Lesson: Good grammar isn’t only about memorizing rules. It’s also about recognizing when a sentence needs a smoother structure.
FAQs:
What is the difference between “there was” and “there were”?
Use there was when the noun that follows is singular or uncountable. Use there were when the noun is plural. For example, “There was a book” is correct, while “There were three books” is correct because the noun determines the verb.
Is “there was” grammatically correct?
Yes, there was is grammatically correct when you’re referring to one person, one thing, or an uncountable noun in the past. Examples include “There was a problem,” “There was a student,” and “There was some water.” The form expresses that something existed or happened previously.
When should I use “there were”?
Use there were when the noun following the verb is plural. For example, “There were many people at the event” is correct. The plural noun “people” requires “were.” This rule applies to statements, descriptions, stories, conversations, and formal writing when discussing multiple things in the past.
Can I say “there was” with plural nouns?
In standard English, you should normally use “there were” with plural nouns. For example, say “There were two cars outside”, not “There was two cars outside.” However, “there was” can sometimes appear with plural nouns in informal spoken English, especially in casual conversation.
Is “there was” or “there were” used for questions?
Both forms can be used in questions, depending on whether the following noun is singular or plural. Say “Was there a problem?” for one problem and “Were there any problems?” for multiple problems. The same subject-verb agreement rule applies to questions as well.
Conclusion:
Understanding There Was or There Were becomes simple when you focus on the noun after the verb. Use “there was” for singular or uncountable nouns and “there were” for plural nouns in past situations.
Once you understand subject-verb agreement, choosing between these forms becomes much easier. Remember that there isn’t the subject controlling the verb. The noun that follows determines whether you need was or were in the sentence.
With regular practice and clear examples, you can use there was and there were confidently in everyday English, conversations, academic writing, and professional communication. Learning this small grammar rule can make your sentences more accurate, natural, and easy to understand.
