Use was there with a singular or uncountable noun, and were there with a plural noun. Both are past-tense forms of the “there is/there are” pattern, and the verb normally agrees with the noun that follows it, not with the word there. For example, you ask, “Was there a problem?” but “Were there any problems?”
The choice matters because the phrase appears in everyday questions, reports, and stories about the past. A wrong verb can make an otherwise clear sentence look careless. This guide explains both forms, shows when each is correct, covers tricky cases such as “I were there” and “were there two,” and ends with a short quiz.
Comparison Overview (Was There or Were There)
The quick answer: look at the noun after the verb. One item or an uncountable noun takes was. More than one item takes were.
| Form | Used with | Function | Example |
| There was | Singular or uncountable noun | Statement about past existence | There was a meeting at noon. |
| There were | Plural noun | Statement about past existence | There were three meetings last week. |
| Was there | Singular or uncountable noun | Question | Was there any milk left? |
| Were there | Plural noun | Question | Were there any seats left? |
Notice that “was there” and “were there” are the question forms. In a statement, the order is “there was” and “there were.”
Definition of Was There
“Was there” is the question form of “there was,” the singular past of the existential “there + be” structure. It asks whether one thing, or an uncountable amount of something, existed or happened in the past.
In this structure, there is not the real subject. The word there fills the subject’s usual position, but the verb agrees with whatever noun comes after it.
- Was there a bakery on this street?
- Was there enough time to finish?
A separate use is worth knowing. In “She was there,” the word there is an adverb meaning “at that place.” That is a different function, covered later in this guide.
Definition of Were There
“Were there” is the question form of “there were,” the plural past of the same structure. It asks about two or more things in the past.
- Were there any messages from the school?
- Were there many guests at the wedding?
Were also appears in the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes and unreal situations. In that case, it can pair with a singular noun: “If there were a faster train, we would take it.”
Main Differences Between Was There and Were There
The two forms differ in a few clear ways.
- Number: was there points to one item or an uncountable noun. Were there points to a plural noun.
- Noun type: uncountable nouns such as water, noise, and traffic take was.
- Mood: were can appear with a singular noun when the sentence is hypothetical.
- Sentence position: both can open a question, but in statements the order reverses to “there was” and “there were.”
Grammar Guide
How each term is used in sentences
Both forms work in several sentence types.
- Statement: There was a delay. / There were two delays.
- Question: Was there a delay? / Were there two delays?
- Negative: There wasn’t a delay. / There weren’t any delays.
- Short answer: Yes, there was. / No, there weren’t.
- Tag question: There was a delay, wasn’t there?
Simple rules to remember
- Find the noun after the verb. That noun decides the verb.
- Use was for singular and uncountable nouns: There was some juice in the jug.
- Use were for plural nouns: There were some grapes in the bowl.
- Use no with either type: There was no parking. There were no parking spaces.
- Ignore words that sit between the verb and the main noun: There was a box of old photos in the attic. The main noun is box, so the verb is was.
Which Is Correct: “I Was There” or “I Were There”?
“I was there” is correct in standard English. The pronoun I takes was in the ordinary past tense, and there is simply an adverb of place.
“I were there” appears only in the subjunctive, usually after if or wish:
- If I were there, I would help you.
- I wish I were there with you.
Grammar references note that wishful, non-factual statement uses were even with a singular subject. In casual speech, many people say “If I was there,” and it is common, but formal writing generally prefers were for unreal situations.
Should You Say “Was There Two” or “Were There Two”?
In standard English, “were there two” is correct because two signals a plural noun: “Were there two exits?”
You may hear “was there two” in fast speech, but careful writing treats it as nonstandard. Sources disagree slightly on the related contraction. One style resource says there’s with a plural noun is sometimes used in speech and informal writing, while another tells writers never to use there’s with a plural subject. For writing you plan to publish, choose the plural verb.
Common mistakes learners make
- Incorrect: There was many people at the fair. Correct: There were many people at the fair. The noun people is plural.
- Incorrect: Was there any apples left? Correct: Were there any apples left? Apples is plural.
- Incorrect: Were there any milk? Correct: Was there any milk? Milk is uncountable.
- Incorrect: There were a box of old photos. Correct: There was a box of old photos. The true noun is box, not photos.
- Incorrect: I were there yesterday. Correct: I was there yesterday. Were is reserved for unreal situations.
Quick tips for writing and speaking
- Say the sentence in the present tense first. If you would say “there is,” choose was. If you would say “there are,” choose were.
- To check a question, rebuild it as a statement. “Were there any tickets?” becomes “There were some tickets.”
- Slow down on sentences with a long phrase after the verb. The distance can pull your ear toward the wrong form.
- In writing, avoid reducing the phrase to “there’s” when a plural noun follows.
When to Use Each One
Use there was or was there when you describe or ask about:
- One person or thing in the past: There was a lighthouse on the cliff.
- An uncountable noun: There was a lot of dust on the shelves.
- A past event: Was there an announcement this morning?
Use there were or were there when you describe or ask about:
- Two or more things in the past: There were four candles on the cake.
- A plural group: Were there any volunteers at the event?
- A hypothetical situation, even with a singular noun: If there were a cheaper option, I would choose it.
When NOT to Use Each One
These forms cover only past existence. Avoid them in these cases:
- Present time: use there is or there are. There is a café next door.
- Future time: use there will be. There will be a test on Friday.
- Time up to now: use there has been or there have been. There have been three calls today.
- Location with a subject: do not confuse the adverb there with the existential structure. In “They were there,” the subject is they, and the verb follows it.
- Statements with question order: do not write “Was there a party last night” as a statement. Use “There was a party last night.”
Which One to Use (Decision Guide)
Follow these steps in order.
- Confirm the time frame. If the situation is past or hypothetical, continue. Otherwise use is, are, or will be.
- Decide whether you are making a statement or asking a question. Statements use “there was/were.” Questions use “was/were there.”
- Find the noun that comes after the verb.
- Choose was for a singular or uncountable noun. Choose were for a plural noun.
- Check for a hypothetical idea with if or wish. If the idea is unreal, choose were, even with a singular noun.
Quick test: “___ any oranges in the basket?” Oranges is plural, so the answer is “Were there.”
Real-World Practical Examples
Was There Examples
- Was there a charger in the conference room?
- There was a long queue outside the passport office.
- Was there any feedback from the customer?
- There wasn’t enough light to take a good photo.
- Was there a reason for the delay?
- There was a strange smell in the kitchen.
- There was no answer when I knocked.
Were There Examples
- Were there any vegetarian options on the menu?
- There were several cracks in the old wall.
- Were there enough chairs for everyone?
- There weren’t many cars on the road at dawn.
- There were two letters waiting for you.
- If there were more daylight, we would keep playing.
- I wish there were a bus after midnight.
Self-Assessment (Fill in the Blanks)
Complete each sentence with there was, there were, was there, or were there.
- ______ any tickets left for the evening show?
- ______ a lot of noise outside last night.
- ______ a pharmacy near the old hotel?
- ______ no empty tables at lunchtime.
- ______ a box of old letters in the drawer.
- If ______ more time, we would walk to the museum.
- ______ any mistakes in the final report?
- I wish ______ more parking near the office.
Answers
- Were there. Tickets is plural.
- There was. Noise is uncountable.
- Was there. Pharmacy is singular.
- There were. Tables is plural.
- There was. The main noun is box.
- There were. The if clause is hypothetical.
- Were there. Mistakes is plural.
- There were. The wish is unreal, so the subjunctive were is used.
Final Verdict
Let the noun after the verb decide. One item or an uncountable noun takes was. A plural noun takes were. Keep were for hypothetical ideas, and keep “I was there” for facts. When a sentence feels uncertain, test it in the present tense first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “there was a lot of people” correct?
It is common in speech, but formal writing prefers “there were a lot of people.” The verb follows the noun after of, and people is plural. With an uncountable noun, was is correct: “There was a lot of traffic.”
Can I say “there’s” before a plural noun?
In casual speech, many people do. Style sources are split on this, with some accepting it informally and others advising against it. In formal writing, use “there are” or “there were” with plural nouns.
Is “there” the subject in “there was a problem”?
No. In this structure, there only fills the subject position. The real subject is the noun that follows the verb, which is why the verb agrees with it.
Can I use “there was” before a list that starts with a singular noun?
Usage guides differ. Some grammar books accept a singular verb when the first noun in a list is singular, while others limit that pattern to informal English and prefer a plural verb in formal writing. For polished writing, “There were a dog and two cats” is the safer choice. “There was a dog and two cats” is acceptable in casual speech.
How do I answer a “was there” or “were there” question?
Repeat the verb in a short answer. “Was there a test?” becomes “Yes, there was” or “No, there wasn’t.” “Were there any tests?” becomes “Yes, there were” or “No, there weren’t.”
What is the difference between “there was” and “there has been”?
“There was” describes something that existed at a finished point in the past. “There has been” connects the past to now: “There has been a change in the schedule” suggests the change still matters. Use the plural form “there have been” for plural nouns.
Do American and British English use these forms differently?
The core agreement rule is the same in both. Regional differences appear mostly with collective nouns, which American English treats as singular while British English often treats them as plural. Informal habits, such as “there’s” with plurals, vary by speaker rather than by country.
Conclusion
Was there is the question form for a singular or uncountable noun, and were there is the question form for a plural noun. In statements, the order becomes there was and there were.
The verb agrees with the noun that follows, and were also appears in hypothetical sentences such as “If there were more time.” Check the noun, test the sentence in the present tense, and your choice will be correct.
