299. Past Tense Linking Verbs

Linking verbs show existence, not action, and they link the subject to another name for the subject.
Here are two past tense linking verbs: was and were

Use was with subjects that are singular – one person.
I was a good student.
Mom was a nurse.
My grandmother was a teacher.
My neighbor was a big help.

Use were with subjects that are plural – more than one person.
The boys were baseball players.
My uncles were soldiers.
The three girls were cheerleaders.
We were troublemakers.

Use the linking verbs was and were for past tense when you want to show existence.

  • It’s your turn. Change the present tense linking verb in this sentence to a past tense linking verb. I am a writer. Did you change am to was ? Good for you.